Tag Archives: momen

Antique furoshiki made from a nobori

December 21, 2013Boro, Cotton, TextilesAntique, Boro, Cotton, furoshiki, Japan, Japanese, momen, nobori, persimmon, tsutsugakiNathan S

This is a furoshiki, or “carrying cloth” made from three sections of an old Japanese banner. It was produced in the early to mid 20th century. and was dyed using fermented persimmon dye. The kanji was produced using a technique called tsutsugaki. This furoshiki is a great example of the Japanese idea of mottainai or “nothing wasted.” Notice the third section of the furoshiki where the kanji are upside down.

The darker portion above is where the banner would have been attached, via a fabric tab, to a pole that held it aloft. It remained dark while the rest of the banner was sun bleached.

Early Meiji katazome

December 15, 2013Boro, Cotton, TextilesAntique, Boro, Cotton, Hand Spun, Hand Woven, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, Katazome, meiji, momenNathan S

This early Meiji period katazome is made of indigo dyed cotton that has been hand spun and hand woven. The fabric is thick and has been worn soft by years of use. This piece was probably the top of a futonji and has been pieced together from 15 small pieces of the same fabric. It has also been mended with several large patches.

This last photo shows the irregular hand spun threads that produce a fabric with such amazing weight and texture.

Crane furoshiki

October 28, 2013Boro, Cotton, TextilesAntique, Boro, Cotton, crane, furoshiki, Hand Spun, Hand Woven, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, meiji, momen, tsutsugakiNathan S

This furoshiki or “carrying cloth” dates to the Meiji period and was made from hand spun and hand woven cotton fabric. The crane was expertly dyed using natural indigo. This type of decoration is known as tsutsugaki it was created by a dyer who used a paper cone or “tsutsu”. The tsutsu was used to apply a mixture of ground rice bran, rice flour, salt, and water onto the fabric to create a resist. This resist was washed away after dying to reveal the design. It must have taken several applications of rice paste and many dips in the indigo dye bath to create the colors in this furoshiki.

This furoshiki may have started its life as a futonji or “padded futon cover”. The symbolism of the crane was one often used on items made to be given to a bride and groom as a wedding gift. It has several large repairs that attest its use over the years. The repairs have all been mended using hand spun and hand woven cotton. The large patch in the middle of the furoshiki is made of very thick course homespun.

Fern Katazome

October 28, 2013Cotton, TextilesAntique, Cotton, fern, furoshiki, Japan, Japanese, meiji, momenNathan S

This katazome dates to the first half of the 20th century and is made of commercially produced cotton. The design is really interesting. I cant really tell much about the dye used to create the strange grey/brown/purple color but I suspect that its not a natural dye.

Katazome obi

September 15, 2013Cotton, Fiber, TextilesAntique, Cotton, Edo, green, Hand Spun, Hand Woven, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, katagami, Katazome, meiji, momen, over dyedNathan S

I recently found this late Edo or early Meiji period obi made from hand spun cotton. The obi has been dyed using indigo over dyed with a yellow to create a green color. The pattern was created using a katagami or “stencil” to deposit rice paste onto the fabric before dying. The obi is made from two lengths of fabric sewn together in the middle. I think it was made this way because the person who made it was taking advantage of leftover fabric.

I love this geometric repeat pattern. I think it could really work as a modern textile. I would like to try to reproduce this fabric in the future. The colors that come out in this last photo show off the colors possible when over dying indigo.

First Cotton Of The Year

September 11, 2013Cotton, Fiber, Garden, My WorkCotton, fiber, grow, growing, momenNathan S

This is some of my first cotton of the year. I have been waiting all summer to see if my cotton plants would produce anything.

Zanshiori

September 6, 2013Cotton, Textiles, Thread and YarnAntique, Cotton, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, meiji, momen, thread, waste threads, weaving, zanshi, zanshioriNathan S

Here is a new piece of cotton zanshi fabric I found. Zanshiori is the fabric woven at the end of a bolt that has a random pattern due to the use of leftover threads. I love the feel of this fabric. the knots give it a homemade rustic feel. The worn colors of this piece are also really nice. some of the strips seem like they may have once been red or pink probably from a commercial dye that was prone to fade over time. the indigo blue has held up well and still holds a deep dark blue in some spots.

this fabric can be purchased at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/158501070/antique-handwoven-japanese-zanshi-indigo?ref=shop_home_active

Late Edo period katazome

September 5, 2013Cotton, TextilesAntique, Boro, Cotton, Edo, Hand Spun, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, Katazome, meiji, momen, spin, weavingNathan S

This is a completely hand made cotton textile. I think it dates to the late Edo or early Meiji period. The fabric is soft and worn and has probably seen many different uses in its long life. The pattern is odd and I haven’t seen many others like it. I love the way the indigo has worn to produce an almost ikat pattern under the applied katazome decorations.

My Hand Spun Cotton Thread

September 1, 2013Cotton, Fiber, Garden, My Work, Thread and YarnCotton, Hand Spun, Indigo, momen, spin, thread, weaving, yarnNathan S

I’ve been spinning cotton for about 3 years now. I started by using a drop spindle and then moved to a spinning wheel and charkha. I have experimented spinning short staple, long staple upland and naturally colored cotton. Its really rewarding to dye upland cotton thread with indigo. Because of the luster in upland cotton the resulting color is bright and picks up different levels of color due to how much oxidation occurs. The process of spinning my own thread has allowed me understand the huge amount of patience and talent held by spinners dyers and weavers in the past.

The most beautiful katazome ever

August 31, 2013Cotton, TextilesAntique, beautiful, Cotton, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, Katazome, meiji, momen, persimmon, sea holly, threadNathan S

I found this katazome fabric a few years ago. It dates to the early 20th century and is made of machine made cotton. I think it must be the most beautiful katazome ever produced.

Katazome is produced by pushing rice paste through a stencil, traditionally made of handmade paper treated with unripe persimmon juice, onto fabric. The rice paste is allowed to dry slightly before being dyed. the rice paste is then washed off to reveal the design. I adore the design of elongated sea holly flowers on this fabric. I think this fabric was once used as a futon cover. what a beautiful pattern to fall asleep under.