Brunnel thinks this is a load of old rags.
And (as usual) he is right.
However, whereas I look at this amazing and very old Japanese boro and wonder about its story, Brunnel still really thinks it is a load of old rags.
Boro is a Japanese word meaning tattered rags, and it is the term used to describe Japan's mended and patched textiles. Each futon cover or quilt was patched and repaired over and over again by the rural housewife, from re-used and re-cycled indigo cotton rags. The diversity of patches on any given piece is a veritable storybook of hand pieced indigo cotton from old Japan. In most cases, the beautiful and haphazard arrangement of patches and mending stitches is the result of wear and tear, and necessity, and not of planning. Each quilt was patched and passed through the generations. Layers of life and living.
A piece with a utilitarian past, never intended as an object of beauty, I think I am unbelievably lucky to have found such a tattered treasure.
So now I just need to convince Brunnel that my new treasure really is as beautiful as I think it is.
Amanda xx
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It's extraordinary Amanda. I'd never heard of boro before so thank you for introducing me to something new. Blokes just don't get it!
ReplyDeleteyour tattered treasure reminds me of several things, "Joesph and his technicolor coat" and "How to make an "American Quilt", beauty in everyday objects and stories behind each piece of fabric.
ReplyDeleteBeaker's grandmother used to sew and resew everything as well. We ended up throwing out all but the most beautiful 'boros' after her death. However we think she'd kept every piece of fabric she'd ever owned in her 99 year life. Good luck convincing Brunnel - I'm convinced already :)
ReplyDeleteYes well Brunnel is a man, so not getting it just goes with the territory ( not a scrap of offense meant). I'm constantly trying to convince Lyn that something is art, he's trying to tell me the same thing about a car. It's just how it is.
ReplyDeleteWhat an historic piece, a real treasure!
Interesting, I've never heard of 'boros' before. You're so good at finding these treasures, tho poor Brunnel must be wondering just what you're going to come home with next.
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