Vintage Furoshiki - Sasa Ni Suzume & Karakusa -

This furoshiki is made from four cotton fabric panels of extra deep indigo. It is hand-stitched with sashiko thread and bears prints of karakusa (Japanese arabesque) pattern and a kamon called “Sasa Ni Suzume (笹に雀),” or sparrow and bamboo leaves.   

From south Nagano, approximately 100 years old. Dead stock condition. 
143 x 129 cm / 56.3 x 50.8 inches

Furoshiki is a multipurpose square cloth and an intrinsic part of Japanese daily life and culture. The name literally means “bath rug.” It originated from the cloth typically used in public saunas in the 15th century. Later in 17th and 18th century Edo (now Tokyo) the cloth usage expanded to be a carry-all of personal grooming items to public bath. To identify one's furoshiki in a crowded public bath, the cloth was personalized by printing the family’s “kaomon” (crest) on it. This became widely popular. Furoshiki gradually came to serve many purposes, from a clutch to go with a party kimono to a suitcase used on a trip. 

Due to the nature of vintage fabric, the product may have fades, fabric pulls, wears, stains, small holes or patches. We hope you will enjoy the richness and variation of repurposed fabric. We provide mending services for this product. Please select “With Mending” from the drop down menu. The cloth will be mended with new or vintage fabric and indigo sashiko thread. It takes about 2 weeks to complete.