This is an obi (sash) cloth with Bingata pattern. Bingata is the traditional dyeing technique which can trace back to 13th century. It is originated from the dyeing for the formal and ceremonial kimono for the women in the Ryukyu royal family in Okinawa Islands. Only the royal and warrior (samurai) class were allowed to wear Bingata in old days...

This is a cotton Kurume kasuri futonji. It is said that Kurume kasuri was first woven ca.1800 in Kurume in Fukuoka Pref. in Kyushu. Its features are geometric and wood block like patterns and some have light blue indigo color. It was designated as important intangible cultural heritage in 1957, however only a few families are practicing traditional way of produce such as hand-binding, natural indigo-dyeing and hand-weaving these days. This one is handwoven and looks natural indigo dyed...

This is a carpenter's "sumi-tsubo ( ink liner )" made of wood and has an ink pot and a wheel. It is used by a carpenter when he draws a line on a lumber. One of the end of the string is pinned, stretched and snapped so that the line is drawn. It has been commonly used till mid 20th century. The string and floss silk are lost, however in good condition. Mid 20th century. L:20.5cm W:18.3cm H:7.7cm

This is a man's han-juban (short under kimono) made of hand-spun cotton with shibori (tie-dyeing) pattern. The sleeves and the collar are black silk cloth. Generally in good condition except for light stains. Late 19th to mid 20th century. 124cm x 80cm

This is a small rug made of many cotton shibori fragments which are recycled from old shibori kimonos. It is from Tohoku district. Generally in good condition except for some stains and ragged part in the corner. 20th century. 126cm x 130cm

This is a small zanshi-ori rug. Zanshi-ori is a cloth handwoven of leftover threads. It has a few layers of cloth and has beautiful gradation of natural indigo color. In good condition but has some wear and mending patches. The former half of the 20th century. 120cm x 120cm

This is a small boro made of mostly handwoven and natural indigo dyed cotton cloth. 20th century. 72cm x 105cm

This is a obi (sash) for a rather casual kimono. It has woven peony pattern which is 40% of the length in both sides. In good condition but has folded lines, stains and some dirty parts. The former half of the 20th century. 31cm x 4m16cm

This is a obi (sash) with geometric katazome (stencil-dyeing) pattern which is plain weave and it has the lining made of black silk satin. It has three jointing seams and has some stains. The former half of the 20th century. 30.3cm x 3m68cm

This is a cotton furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with sashiko (quilting). In excellent condition and looks almost new. 20th century. 94cm x 93cm

This is a cotton Kurume kasuri futonji. It is said that Kurume kasuri was first woven ca.1800 in Kurume in Fukuoka Pref. in Kyushu. Its features are geometric and wood block like patterns and some have light blue indigo color. It was designated as important intangible cultural heritage in 1957, however only a few families are practicing traditional way of produce such as hand-binding, natural indigo-dyeing and hand-weaving these days. This one looks hand-woven and natural indigo dyed...

This is a cotton furoshiki ( wrapping cloth ) with beautiful sashiko ( quilting ). In excellent condition. 20th century. 103.5cm x 115cm