This delicate scarf has been hand made from the neckpiece of a vintage silk kimono. It is patterned using a traditional Japanese technique called shibori. This is a fine form of resist dyeing whereby the fabric is pinched, twisted or sewn to create patterns and texture after it has been dyed.
This piece depicts geometric traditional designs and was probably used for an outer jacket layer or haori. The designs include overlapping circles (shippo), checks or paving stones (ichimatsu), and tortoise shell (kikkou). These patterns are all old and auspicious.
The colour is blue/black and as such reflects a history of ‘hidden colours’ whereby restrictions on who could wear what, prevailed.
