An Exceedingly Sashiko Stitched Kotatsu Cover
Written on February 10, 2010
There is such a density of small, evenly spaced sashiko stitches on this kotatsu cover that this old Japanese textile appears to be obscured by a thin veil of mist.
This large (approximately 5 1/2′ x 5′ or 1.5 m x 1.7 m) cloth is sewn from layers of indigo dyed cotton and was used to cover a table-like armature that was placed over a brazier: in old Japan, a family would gather around the brazier and they would tuck themselves under this cover to keep warm.
Looking at this stunning cloth we are reminded of Minimal Art from the 70s: imagine giving Agnes Martin a needle and thread. I think this is pretty much what would have been produced.
The surface of this kotatsu cover has an almost silver-like sheen from the field of small, white cotton stitches: it may not be so ironic that I decided to post images of this cloth on the very day that New York–and so much of the Eastern seaboard of the United States–was hit with a blizzard and buried in snow. When I looked out my window today, the scene outside was not so different than the photos above, and below.
On the first two photos, above, I love the subtle, dark mark dead-center on this cloth: the discoloration from prolonged exposure to the brazier still retains its heat. Well, on the suggestive level, at least. 
Tagged: boro, kotatsugake, sashiko.
Sitting with your loved ones huddled around the kotatsu under a cover such as this brings thoughts of the comforts of home on long, dark and cold winter nights. I hope that those of you who are enduring the snowstorms on the east coast of the USA are keeping safe and warm.
February 11, 2010 @ 5:31 am
Right on about Agnes Martin. I have often felt while stitching that the process reminded me of her drawings.
February 11, 2010 @ 12:33 pm
Are those really sashiko ?
Even close up it looks like warp and weft..a cloth woven of denim strips and cotton threads?
Amazing!
February 11, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
Is the white thread the warp of this cloth?
February 11, 2010 @ 3:47 pm
To Cati,
The white threads are stitched; they are stitched into layered indigo dyed cotton in so many tight rows that they call to mind a woven structure, however they are in fact applied. This kind of tight sashiko stitching is a fairly often seen, traditional form of reinforcing in Japanese folk textiles, however it is not so common to see such a large area (as on the piece shown here) stitched so tightly.
February 11, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
Thanks, I’m very impressed.
February 11, 2010 @ 6:22 pm
very beautiful — i esp. love the deteriorating quilt.
February 11, 2010 @ 7:55 pm
I can’t even begin to imagine the number of hours of work that went into this piece. This is amazing and beautiful!
February 12, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Beautiful work. Can you tell me how they extracted the fiber out of the wisteria.
September 1, 2010 @ 1:31 pm