ZEN RIVER

Edo-komon silk fabric. Komon refers to “small pattern” which began in the Edo period when sumptuary laws were passed limiting the purchase and wearing of luxury materials. From a distance, the small patterns appeared as a single color, as opposed to more elaborate patterns.

The pattern design is hyakusen, a natural river plants mix, of white-dotted design on blue background. Older designs from the Edo period are recognized by the white on blue background. The thousands of white dots are hand applied resist to remain white when the silk is dyed. Other color backgrounds came later on