8118: 1980s Japanese Tsumugi (Pongee)Silk, Arai-Hari 52in.Pc Kikkoo Geometric hex grid

Catalog#: 8118

1980's Arai Hari Cleaned Japanese Textiles: 

Doro (Mud-Dyed) Ohshima Tsumugi (Pongee) Silk Piece
Classic Kikkoo (Tortoise Shell, hex grid patterns interwoven)

Width:14.5 inches / 36.83 cm
Length: 52 inches / 132.08 cm

US$15.00 per piece, plus shipping

• Fabric History/Pedigree:  1980s pieces received from a traditional Japanese kimono cleaner/reconstructor called Arai-Hari -- see an excellent explanation of traditional Arai Hari by textile expert John Marshall by clicking HERE; 

• Description:  This distinctive Japanese vintage traditional Tsumugi is a thinner light-weight summer pongee-type silk that is dark brown with tan interwoven pixelated lines that form the traditional tortoise-shell geometric /hexagonl grid pattern by way of the Ohshima tsumugi-weave(called Kikkoo); This thin, lightweight piece is slightly translucent,  probably from summer garment, softer than many other tsumugi; The design's elements are all about 1/4 inch / 6.35mm at widest; fabric is the same on both sides; Selvedge on both sides is about 3/8inch / 9.53mm; 
  
  Cultural Background Info:
  Kimonos made from Doro-Ohshima Tsumugi are held in high regard among kimono traditionalists in Japan, given that the Imperial family has been known to wear such fabric in Royal kimonos.
  
  
• Colors: Please NOTE that colors and contrast vary by device, so use our text descriptions to complement your sense of the fabric.
  
  
• Condition: Very Good: except for a few repair spots,wonderfully done; thus lowered price; see closeups for repairs.

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 above, 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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