Description
In Japan’s past, the rules covering the use of particular fabrics during specific times of the year were every bit as rigid as those for other aspects of society. In the Edo and Meiji Eras, the gauze silks were not to be utilized, except in the summer months of June, July, and August. This is a very old, handwoven and rare transparent Silk Gossamer Noren. Traditionally, a “Noren” or decorative door curtain or room divider would not have been made of such fine fabric. This colorful example is that of an elaborately dressed young Japanese woman in a vibrant Kimono. She is unmarried, as you can tell by the longer length of the sleeves and the brightness of her dress and obi.
It has been hand woven and hand painted in the Rice Paste Resist technique using extraordinary colors. The Rice Paste Resist technique requires that each color be applied separately, while all the others are painted out in the rice paste. Each time a new color was added, the rice paste had to be removed by soaking it out over and over again in the local river water. It was a laborious and time consuming process.
Of the original set of four, this is the only Noren remaining. Such unusual pieces of art work were probably meant to be hung indoors as a room divider for a very wealthy and high ranking family, as it could only be used during the summer months.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental United States.
