Japan
Late 19th century
Indigo dyed cotton
61″ x 50″

“To make something lasting, something that survives the terrible happenings of the day, look around you and see what is surviving through the centuries. It is the beautiful things, and it is not wars.” Anni Albers

A beautifully worn and mended 19th century yogi from the collection of Stephen Szczepanek of Sri. A yogi is a kimono-shaped blanket or comforter. Like all Japanese boro, it had a quotidian use but was designed with great care and attention to detail. The complex field of indigo patches, each a variation on the theme of blue, has the power of a colorfield painting.

Available at Lawton Mull and on view until June 25th 2025 as part of our exhibition, ORDINARY SPLENDOR, a collaboration with Sri.

Exhibited:
“Mottainai: The Fabric of Life,” November 4 – 27, 2011
Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon

“Boro: The Fabric of Life,” June 7 – September 15, 2013
Domaine de Boisbuchet, Lessac, France

“Japão a Cru, Boro: O Tecido da Vida,” September 10, 2014 – February 8, 2015
Museu do Design e da Moda, Lisbon, Portugal

“Boro: Stoffe des Lebens,” March 28 – August 2, 2015
Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst, Cologne, Germany

“ORDINARY SPLENDOR,” May 21 – June 25, 2025
Lawton Mull, Long Island City, New York

Published:
“Mottainai: The Fabric of Life: Lessons in Frugality from Traditional Japan,”2011; Published by: Gallery Kei, Kyoto, Japan
Text: Diane Durston, Kei Kawasaki, Stephen Szczepanek