🎎 Kasuri Indigo Thread Spool – Early Showa or Taishō Period – Japan Antique Roadshow
This rare spool of kasuri-dyed indigo thread dates from the early Shōwa or Taishō period (c. 1910s–1930s) and was likely used in the making of everyday garments worn by Japanese farmers and craftspeople. The skein, still wound tightly around its original wooden core—wrapped in aged washi paper—features beautifully uneven variegations of deep blue and undyed cotton, produced through the kasuri technique. Modest in form but rich in cultural heritage, this small bundle carries the quiet dignity of Japan’s textile traditions.
Kasuri (絣) is a time-intensive resist-dyeing method in which threads are dyed prior to weaving, creating soft-edged, rhythmic patterns once on the loom. Indigo-dyed cotton like this was commonly used to make noragi (field jackets), work trousers, and futon covers—durable fabrics essential to rural Japanese life. The dyeing process relied on natural indigo (ai-zome) and involved fermentation, dipping, and oxidation, requiring expert hands and great patience.
This spool may have come from a weaver’s home workshop or a merchant’s stock, preserved with care for future use. Today, it stands as a quiet testament to Mingei values—beauty found in useful things. Whether displayed as an artifact or repurposed in modern sashiko or boro work, it invites reflection on the enduring elegance of the handmade.
📏 Approximate dimensions
• Size: 9 cm x 7 cm
• Weight: 30 g
• Material: Indigo-dyed cotton thread wound around a wooden core wrapped in washi
• Era: Early Shōwa or Taishō period (c. 1910s–1930s)
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition; light wear to paper wrap, thread intact
Curated in Shizuoka City by Kurt Bell, this piece honors the quiet labor and artistry of Japan’s countryside—where cloth was not just clothing, but a lasting record of daily life.
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Quality Guarantee & Returns
- Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
- Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.