7954:1960's Japanese Silk Ohshima Tsumugi, 58in. Arai-Hari,Tortoise Shell Pattern

Distinctive Older Japanese Textiles:

1960's Ohshima Tsumugi (Pongee) Silk Fabric
Arai-Hari

Solid Brown with Small 3/8 " / 9.53 mm Hex Elements:
Grid - Classic Tortoise Shell Pattern (Resembles Honey Comb Pattern)

Catalog# 7954

Width:14.5inches / 36.83cm
Length: 58 inches / 147.32cm

US$20.00 per piece
Plus Shipping

Item Details and Description:

Fabric History/Pedigree: 1960s fabric from kimono pieces from an Arai Hari (special Japanese kimono cleaner -- see info on Arai-Hari HERE from John Marshall, expert on Japanese textiles .)

Description: This is a lightweight, slightly translucent Ohshima tsumugi (pongee) silk from Amami Islands, Japan; The fabric is solid brown with tan-colored thin lined grid; grid elements are hexagonal, about 3/8th inch / 9.53mm at largest, configured in what looks like a tortoise-shell pattern (an older pattern seen in pre-modern Japan); Note also the space rows of 4 hashmakrs in plus shape (withing 4 hex elements; selvedge on both sides 1/4 inch / 6.35mm; fabric is stiff, and same on both sides.

Cultural Background Information:

Details on this part of Japan's special pongee silk-making process can be found on the National Foundation for Promoting the National Costume of Japan website, which explains the natural plant dyes and mud etc. used in making Ohshima Tsumugi, quoted here:

Characteristics: A plain woven silk fabric with pre-dyed scoured threads both for warp and weft. The color is refined and calm and the fabric is soft and difficult to wrinkle. Threads are dyed with plant dyes such as "Techiki" (Raphilolepis umbellata) and indigo (Persicaria tinctoria) with a technique, peculiar only to "Oshima Tsumugi," called "Ori Jime." As a variety, an additional treatment is made to the dyed thread by dipping them in muddy water. It is "Doro(mud) Zome(dyeing)." There are several kinds of "Oshima Tsumugi":"Doro Oshima," "Ai(indigo) Oshima," "Doro Ai Oshima," "Iro(color) Oshima" and "Natsu(summer) Oshima."

Recommended for making scarf/accessories.

Colors: Please use our text color descriptions to complement your sense of the fabric due to differences in contrast and color on different devices.

Condition: EXCELLENT.

Popular with our antique Japanese textile aficionados and collectors.