T132

A shibori dyed piece-constructed shikimono This is a mat which was placed under a futon or which would have been used as a sleeping mat placed directly on the floor. The base cotton is hand spun and hand woven; the indigo dyed shibori is rustic and shows two motifs, that of the Genji kuruma, a cart wheel with allusions to traditional ancient history via the famous The Tale of Genji (1008 AD) as well as a depiction of grain measures. Likely, this was made in Japan’s rural northeast or Tohoku region, probably in or near Yamagata prefecture. Some of the commercially produced cotton patches were added later. Indigo dyed cotton Japan Early 20th century 35″ x 69″