Japanese Textile Art

DESCRIPTION: The extremely fine threads, beautiful weaving, and imaginative patterns in Okinawan Silk “Kasuri Ori” are unrivaled in the exquisite quality of this informal, fully reversible, man’s informal “Haori” or topcoat that has been sewn completely by hand both inside and out. Because there was a time when Okinawans were not allowed by Japanese law to wear Silk, “Oshima Silk” was their method for doing so – right under the noses of their Japanese rulers. In ancient Okinawa, to envelop your body with a woven cloth represented your desire to embrace and to protect the sacred spirit concealed within the body. Thus, this Haori was much more than a protective covering, before the development of any aesthetic or social significance; it also expressed a religious belief.

The hand-woven Kasuri Silk weave is distinguished by weaving together Silk fibers that have been tied with string in predetermined areas dictated by the desired design, then immersing them in a natural dye. The famed deep black brown colors of Oshima were produced by combining the iron rich soil of Kume Island with the natural colors of Okinawan plants; which, alone, created many of the other variations in natural dyes. Kasuri motifs range from several inches in width and height to only a fraction of an inch. This fine fabric is greatly prized and extraordinarily expensive today, as it required a year’s work for the weaving of one garment. Oshima Island lies in Kagoshima Prefecture in the Okinawan chain of islands.

The vibrant hand painted design on the inside back lining panel has been created through the “Rice Paste Resist” process whereby each individual color had to be applied separately while the remainder of the artwork was painted out with rice paste. It was a very time consuming, labor intensive, and expensive process that resulted in glorious works of art. The design tells the story of the overseer of the Torii Gates that lead into the Shrine towards which the laborers are toiling their way up the mountainside. All of this would have taken place during the time that the Cherry Blossoms were blooming in Spring.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE TEXTILE: Haori or Informal Man’s Topcoat

APPROXIMATE DATE OR PERIOD: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: The extremely fine threads, beautiful weaving, and imaginative patterns in Okinawan Silk “Kasuri Ori” are unrivaled in the exquisite quality of its weaving. In ancient Okinawa, to envelop your body with a woven cloth represented your desire to embrace and to protect the sacred spirit concealed within the body. Thus, this Haori was much more than a protective covering, before the development of any aesthetic or social significance; it also expressed a religious belief. The hand-woven “Kasuri” Silk weave is distinguished by Silk fibers that have been tied with string in predetermined areas dictated by the desired design, then immersed in a natural dye. Combining the iron rich soil of Kume Island with the natural colors of Okinawan plants produced the famed deep black brown colors of Oshima; which, alone, created many of the other variations in natural dyes. Kasuri motifs range from several inches in width and height to only a fraction of an inch. This fine fabric is greatly prized and extraordinarily expensive today, as it required a year’s work for the weaving of one garment. Oshima Island lies in Kagoshima Prefecture in the Okinawan chain of islands

PRESENTATION: To hang as a display or work of art, or to wear (perhaps with the inside panel on the outside) for a very formal occasion.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: $3200

TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental U.S.