Katsugi or Kazuki which is worn over the head down and fully covers the body, which is made of hemp, whose wefts and warps are hand-plied. Originally, the kazuki was worn by a noble woman when she went out from Heian to Kamakura period (about 9th to 13th century) over kimono. The collar is lowered to cover a head. This one is probably made in early Meiji period (the latter half of the 19th century) in Shonai region in Yamagata Prefecture and worn at the wedding...

Tokimono (kimono textile, unseamed and washed) of unlined summer kimono with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) Ryusui-mon (running water) design. It is made of hemp and gauze weave. Two pieces of cloth for bodies have tow slits (10cm) in the middle, for necks. Generally, in good condition but one panel, one front side has some light stain, however not serious from outside, and also one of a sleeve has a brown spot. Early 20th century...

Noren, a shop curtain made of hemp (taima) whose wefts and warps are hand plied and dyed with kakishibu (persimmon tannin). It has the shop logo "Tawara (俵）”with sumi. All hand sewn. In good condition but has some stains and a hole (1cm x 0.5cm) and mending stitches. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. W:125cm, L:147cm

Asa (hemp) noren (shop curtain) with "Mitsui" which is a logo of a noted general trading company and was a successful kimono textile dealer in Edo period. Both warp and weft are hand-plied and all hand-sewn. In good condition and has some wear on the selvedge from heavy use and washing. Late 19th early 20th century. W:144cm, L:132cm

Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. This one is made of asa (hemp) and both warp and weft are hand-plied...

Asa (hemp or ramie) baby boy's ceremonial kimono, whose wefts and warps are hand plied. It is worn by a newborn baby about one month later of the birth, on the occasion of "Omiya-mairi" that is the first visit to the local shrine wishing for the healthy growth. It is not actually worn but put over a baby. It is hitoe (no lining) kimono, so that it is used in summer. It has beautiful wave and crane motif which is hand painting. In excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th century...

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of Echigo-jofu which is hand-woven of choma (ramie) and dyed with indigo. The fine kasuri pattern is yoko-gasuri (weft kasuri) and bamboo, pine tree and plum bloom motifs. Echigo jofu was first woven asa kasuri in mainland Japan having been influenced by Ryukyu (Okinawan) kasuri. The dye is called Ai-sabi which is very dark blue dyed with vegetable indigo mixed with shoen (burnt pine shoot) or other catalysts...

Baby's ceremonial kimono made of machine woven cotton with hand-painting with motif of noble people. It has se-mamori (charm) with silk thread. The diagonal stitches to the left means it is boy's kimono ( to the right is girl's ). In old days, it is believed that evils come from back and a baby is vulnerable without seam in the back, so se-mamori is put. In good condition but a bit dusty from aging. Dry cleaning only. Late 19th to early 20th century. 62cm x 76cm

A bag made of hand spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. It has a family crest, "Maru-ni-Yotsumebishi". It has lining made of also hand spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. The cord is hemp. In good condition but has some holes. The latter half of the 19th century. W:30.5cm, L:48cm

Large bag made of vegetable indigo dye hemp which looks recycled from hemp mosquito net, whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. The second half of the 20th century. 63cm x 88cm

A bag made of asa (hemp) and dyed with kakishibu (persimmon tannin). Warp and weft are hand-plied. It has and cotton lining. Late 19th to early 20th century. 27cm x 60cm

Boro asa noragi (field wear) made of hand-plied asa (hemp). It has indigo dyed cotton cloth in the buttom and some mending patches. The first half of the 20th century. 63cm x 90cm

This is a rare hand-spun natural Shina-fu ( linden)boro bag from the Meiji period (1868-1911). It was originally a stiff material, but it softened after being used many times. The repair marks are cotton fabric and hemp thread. linden cloth naturally turn dark brown over time due to the tannins in the fibers of these trees. There are stains and repair marks. Size: Length: 51cm (20") / Width: 33cm (12.9").

Amazing boro cloth which is one side of body part of noragi (farm wear). The ground cloth as well as mending patches are hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed. Sashiko thread is also indigo dyed cotton. Asa (hemp) thread is seen in the side seam and that means it is rather old. The second half of the 19th century. 32cm x 184cm

Hemp furoshiki (wrapping cloth) made of hemp whose warps and wefts are hand-plied. It is dyed with vegetable indigo. It has many original mending patches, holes and worn out. The second half of the 19th century. W:105cm, L:112cm

Boro futonji with many mending patches and sashiko whose ground cloth is hand-spun cotton with stripes. It is dyed with vegetable indigo and the red color looks benibana (saffloer dye). Mending is very nicely done with sashiko. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. W:94cm, L:172cm

Very large furoshiki with many mending patches which are all original and beautifully done. It is made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dyed, ground cloth as well as mending patches. In good condition. The second half of the 19th to early 20th century. 164cm x 164cm

Amazing boro which used to be noragi (work wear). It is made of many fragments of vegetable indigo dye and hand^spun cotton cloth. It is from cold areas such as Tohoku or Japan Sea Side where cotton could not be cultivated and cotton cloth for kimono was expensive so that people bought fragments which were brought from warm areas such as Shikoku , Kandsai or Chubu districts. The second half of the 19th century. Measurement: Approx. 160cm x 150cm