Vintage Japanese Kimono Fabrics by Pieces: Japanese Textile Fabric Swatches

7127: 1960s Rare Japanese Amami Doro-Mud Ohshima Silk , 50in. Piece

Catalog#: 7127

1960s Deadstock Japanese Textiles:

Ohshima Doro (Mud)Tsumugi Silk Fabric
From Deconstructed Kimono

Width:14.5 / 36.83 cm
Length: 50 inches / 127 cm

US$20.00 per piece

Item Details and Description

Fabric History/Pedigree:

Fabric History/Pedigree: Pieces received from traditional Japanese kimono cleaner/reconstructor called Arai-Hari -- see an excellent explanation of traditional Arai Hari by textile expert John Marshall,by click-pushing HERE.

This is a type of Japanese pongee silk called Doro (mud) 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."

Fabric Description Details:

This lightweight fabric is slightly translucent, the design is the same on both sides, designs are rows and columns of stylized flower figures(geometric sort), measuring 2 in. X 2.5in.(5.08cm X6.4cm) and with smaller plus-sign shapes ( 1 inch squared) and three connected diamond shapes in rows and columns (please view closeups); The mud/Doro-dyed fabric is a dark brown and all designs are tan-colored, made by tiny pixelated lines and shapes; fabric has no sheen but is slightly textured to the touch due to the type weaving/dyeing; minimal drape.

Colors: Reminder to use our text descriptions of colors to complement your sense of the colors, since colors and contrast differ on different devices.

Condition: EXCELLENT, remarkable condition for its age.