beige woven vest, with cotton edging at front

Sweat repeller made of paper cordage (koyori asehajiki), 19th century

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Material and technique: Mulberry paper cord (koyori) and macramé

Designed to promote air circulation to wick away moisture, this vest undergarment would have been worn against the skin under suits of armor. It is knitted of paper cord (koyori) that is hand-twisted from fragments of used paper. The paper is made from mulberry bark, whose long fibers bind to one another, forming a resilient and flexible material with cloth-like qualities. The cord was tied in macramé into an auspicious design called shippō tsunagi, a geometric motif of interlocking circles that refers to the seven treasures of Buddhism. An undyed cotton collar was then attached for comfort and to create a pleasing neckline, revealing the attention to aesthetics even in the case of an unseen, functional garment.

Details
Title
Sweat repeller made of paper cordage (koyori asehajiki)
Role
Maker
Accession Number
2019.20.64
Catalogue Raisonne
Murray et al. 2018, pl. 51
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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beige woven vest, with cotton edging at front