7584: 1990s Japanese Ohshima Tsumugi Pongee Silk ,Deadstock 12+Yds Bolt

Rare Japanese Textiles:

1990s Ohshima Tsumugi (Pongee) Silk Fabric
Deadstock 11m/12+yds Bolt

Authentic Ohshima Island Tsumugi Silk
In original bindings, labels, authenticity seals,
1990s Factory Discounted Price Tag of Japanese Yen,¥165,000*

Catalog#: 7584

Width:15 inches / 38.1 cm
Length: 12+ yards / 11 m

US$65.00 per bolt plus shipping

Item Details and Description:

Fabric History/Pedigree: 1990s deadstock, unused authentic Ohshima Tsumugi silk still in original bindings, certificates of authenticity, Maker's Factory Seal;

*Note the attached pink price tag, a factory discount tag from the 1990s,

¥165,000, in today's equivalence adjusted for inflation is US$2193. This is consistent with the prices asked for authentic, Ohshima Tsumugi silk, even today.

Fabric Description Details:

11m/12+yards Bolt is a navy-blue solid background with distinctive Ohshima tsumugi weave of a plaid, red, green, and dark tan line colors.

CULTURAL BACKGROUND INFO:

This is a special lightweight Ohshima tsumugi silk from Amami Islands, Japan. 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."

Suitable for making small size Japanese kimono

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.