78121: 1960s Japanese Ohshima Tsumugi Silk, Arai-Hari 57in.Pc.Aizome Indigo

Catalog#: 7812-1

1960's Arai Hari Cleaned Japanese Textiles:

  Special Aikusaki-zome  Ohshima Tsumugi Silk-Dyed (Indigo Dyed)
Diamond-Shaped Diagonal Grid Motif

Silk Kimono Fabric by Piece

Width:14.5 inches / 36.83 cm
Length: 57 inches / 144.78 cm

• Fabric History/Pedigree:  1960s  or earlier silk fabric pieces received from traditional Japanese kimono cleaner/reconstructor called Arai-Hari -- see an excellent explanation of traditional Arai Hari by textile expert  John  Marshall, expert on Japanese textiles  HERE .)
  
  
• Description:  This distinctive Japanese vintage traditional Tsumugi is a lightweight pongee-type silk that is made from indigo-blue and black; the fabric is very slightly translucent (only with bright light behind), and designs same on both sides;
  
  Motifs/Designs:  Pixelated lines show a diagonally oriented grid of mostly 1.5  inches / 38.1mm rhombic (4-sides) diamond shapes, with rectangular and square shapes up to 1.5 inches at widest, symmetrically; note the alternating sizes in the rows; though border lines of all the geometric figures are pinstripes; Inside each diamond medallion element are many nature and geometric designs, albeit stylized and not readily apparent on first glance; the fabric is smooth to the touch but not a satiny feel; as part of the tsumugi process all designs are the result of a pixelated effect, tiny pixels created in the weaving process (please see closeups); minimal sheen; selvage on both sides is about 1/2 (.5) inch / 12.7 mm.
  
  This is an Aizome (Aikusakizome) indigo plant-dyed fabric; The colors are mostly dark indigo black and several shades of blue; upon closer examination, you will see a mix of iridescent colors very subtly interwoven (depending on the type and brightness of lighting); Pictures tell the story better, so please see all of our images.
  
  
• Colors: Please NOTE that colors and contrast differ on each device, so please use our text descriptions to complement your sense of the fabric.
  
  (Tech Note: Our last closeup image better captures the darkness of the fabric in room light, at least on our computer; other pictures are intentionally lighter contrast to reveal motifs etc -- best we could do :} . YL)
  
  
• Condition: Excellent. Recommended for making scarf/accessories.

Popular with our antique Japanese textile aficionados and collectors

Cultural Background Note:  From www.nippon-kichi.jp:  Tsumugi are silk textiles woven by hand using thread collected from the floss of the cocoons. The floss is made from debris of the cocoons and spun by hand into thread. Because the thread is called “tetsumugi ito” or “ tsumugi ito”, the textile made from the thread became to be known as tsumugi. Tsumugi is characterized by its unique texture and dull gloss coming from subtle variations of the tsumugi threads. It is extremely durable and has been used for everyday clothes and working clothes since ancient times.... To read the rest of this page and learn more about tsumugi, please  visit: www.nippon-kichi.jp Below: Hand-made purse using 1930's Doro Ohshima tsumugi silk, made by Fumi Sakanashi, YokoDana KImono's owner's sister, an award-winning quilter in Japan. The Doro Ohshima (mud-dyed) is the center patterned portion on both sides, with the solid areas and handles being new; shown in pictures below:

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