Japan
19th century
Ramie or hemp
49” x 46 ½”

“This is the world of utility. There is no avoiding reality, no way of escaping it, for the sole purpose of these objects is to serve people’s needs. But to think of them as nothing but physical objects would be an error…They are rooted in the earth, deeply tied to the earthly life of honest, hardworking people, the recipients of the blessings of heaven.” Soetsu Yanagi, The Beauty of Everyday Things.

The hand-woven ramie or hemp cloth panels sewn together to create this elegant textile took months and countless steps to produce. The quality of the fabric is evident to the eye and to the hand. It has been sensitively patched and has the soulfulness 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.