Very Dark Small Ikat Hanabishi Water Chestnut Vintage Stiff, Bouncy Hemp or Ramie? from Japan By the Yard #406

From a distance it seems solid black, brownish black or greenish black, then as you get closer you can see the infinite number of tiny reddish brown and taupe four-petaled Water Chestnut flowers with raindrops, perhaps, in between them. It's so thin and light that it's almost see-through in some lights. Both sides are just the same. It's quite stiff, with body and bounce, not supple at all, and we're guessing it may be silk, hemp and cotton, or possibly all hemp or all ramie. Then again, don't believe us...we're continually surprised by these old fabrics from Japan. They're often one of a kind works of textile art and never done exactly the same way again. It will probably soften with washing and was meant for summer kimono.  

 14" wide and sold by the full yard, we'll cut yours in one piece from the excellent condition vintage bolt.