Tag Archives: zanshiori

Cotton and Hemp Zanshiori

February 15, 2014Boro, Cotton, TextilesAntique, bast, Boro, Cotton, Hand Spun, Hand Woven, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, meiji, momen, zanshi, zanshioriNathan S

I recently found this very worn zanshi fabric. The warp is hemp and the weft is cotton and hemp. It has a beautiful worn feel simular to antique linen. It has been dyed with indigo, but the natural color variations in the hemp thread also lend to the design. Zanshiori is fabric that has been woven using the threads left over at the ends of numerous bobbins. due to the use of thread fragments the fabric has a random pattern and a varied texture because of the knots used to bind all the threads in the weft together. Zanshi was often woven at the end of a bolt of fabric to make use of any remaining warp.

I have listed some of this zanshi fabric for purchase here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/178807794/antique-handwoven-japanese-zanshi-indigo?ref=shop_home_active_3

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

Zanshiori

August 21, 2013Cotton, Textiles, Thread and YarnAntique, Boro, Cotton, Hand Spun, Indigo, Japan, Japanese, left over, meiji, momen, thread, waste, weaving, yarn, zanshi, zanshioriNathan S

Here is some Zanshi or “left over thread” fabric I recently found. Zanshi was traditionally woven at the end of a bolt of kimono fabric. Once the kimono length had been woven the weaver would use up left over threads and bits and pieces left at the ends of bobbins to fill up the end length of warp. The resulting fabric was used for domestic purposes while the kimono bolt was more than likely sold. Zanshi was used most often for futon covers or work clothing. Notice the variation in pattern due to the different colors of left over threads.