Indigo shibori panel, Japan, Taisho (c.1920), 151x33cm. 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. We recently posted a similar panel, probably from the same workshop, and this panel was too possibly part of a futonji. There is differences in the design, with the actual piece definitively more ‘minimalistic’ and rigorous in look if we can say that. It displays same lovely shade of indigo and a master use of the dyeing technique though. This lightweight, handwoven cotton is in excellent condition. a textile with a very Japanese soul.