Have a look at this arrangement of wonderful things: this cloud is composed of old, tabi patterns which were cut from recycled, thick paper.  They’re really, really fantastic.

There are over 30 pieces.  Judging from the various sizes of the each of the patterns, it seems they are size graded, but in no particular order—certainly not in the jumble in which they were found.

Each piece is fascinating.  They probably date to the 1930s or so.I just find this an amazingly and visually fascinating group.  Having the patterns arranged on my wall has given me such pleasure: what a treat it is to look up from my work and to see this in the distance.

Today I am showing something wonderful and unusual: it is a length of himo or rope that has been made by twisting scraps of indigo dyed cloth and forming a long, blue cord.

This mess of blue cord, on the right, is the prize.  It is not often that you see rustic rope of this kind that is made from such luscious scraps: twisted in the jumble are pieces of indigo dyed tsumugi or hand spun silk and katazome dyed indigo cloth–among which are scraps of Edo komon, a kind of small figured cloth which was produced in the 19th century.

One never knows the intented function of this kind of rope: it could have been used for everyday activities, or, maybe, it was used in the deep countryside for their local matsuri or shrine festivals.  In any case, coming across a rope that is so rich in various types of antique indigo cloth is a real find.The cloth used to create this rope seems to belong to the late nineteenth century.

This lovely ball of himo, shown above and below, is more typical of the kind of rustic rope you find for the reason that the cotton that is twined to make the rope is both hand woven and machine made.  Most likely this ball dates to the mid twentieth century or thereabouts.