Indigo shibori cloth , Japan, Taisho (c.1920), 51x64cm. The common English translation of the Japanese word shibori is "tie-dye"; however, a more accurate translation is "shaped-resist dyeing," which describes the inherent patterning process of manipulating the two-dimensional cloth surface into three-dimensional shapes before compressing them to dye. Diverse shibori techniques are used to obtain different patterns, and sometimes they can be combined to obtain a certain result. The present cloth, obtained by sewing together two smaller panels, shows how the ability of a master-dyer can lead to eye-catching results. Condition is not exactly mint, with a few tiny holes, little stains, and a rather strong age patina. In my mind, however, this doesn’t detract a bit from the intrinsic beauty of this item that much owes to its subtle shades of light indigo. Lovely and ethereal.