brev

J. J. Langewis
TEL. SHIMO
Dr. Agnes Geijer
Curator of Textiles
Statens Historiska Museum
Stoc kho 1 m.
Dear Dr. Geijer,
7 march 1956
I am herewith taking the liberty of approaching you on the following matter.
At present, i am carrying out research work on antique Japanese methods of hand—dyeing arid hand-weaving.
I am studying in particular the resist— or reserve—techniques on threads prior to the weaving of the cloth,
Imovm here as Kasuri—zome. There are also reserve—dyeing techniques applied to
the woven cloth, Imotm in Japan under the names Yuzen—zome, Kata—zorne and Slibori—zome.
A peculiar Japanese technique of resist—dyeing on threads is the Ita—jime method. By this method the threads are
not being tied as in the case of Kasuri-zome, but being pressed ("jimett) and between wooden—boards (ttitatt). I believe the
method of reserve-dyeing on threads between wooden—boards developed in Japan only.
Not knowing whether you are familiar with this kind of textiles, I take pleasure in presenting you herewith a small frag—
ment of old Ita-jime cloth, the material being tlAsatl or harp, originating from Oni Province, presently named Shiga Prefecture, Honshu, Japan
and could be dated as a middle 19th century textile. I would like to mention, that, a similar research was
done by me in Indonesia during pre—war years. The technique of reserve—dyeing on threads is Imown
in Indonesia under the name of Ikat and became highly developed in
this country. During the years I spent on the various Islands of the
Indonesian Archipelago etc. ) , I was succesful in bringing together a fine collection of Ikats and I am
keeping excellent exanples of early Indonesian textiles at home in
rv native country, being Holland. At present I am bringing together an collect—
ion of early Japanese textiles and the purpose af writing this letter to ym is to enquire, whether your mtseun would be interested in
acquiring specimen of early Japanese Kasuri and Ita-jime textiles. At the same time I would also be willing selling part
or the whole of my Indonesian collection of textiles.
Looking forward hearing from you, I remain,
Sin Y yours