Right when you look at it, the different blue tones of this blanket have a gentle captivating vibe. The fabric is very soft and thick. This is a blanket that was used as a Kotatsu table cover. a Kotatsu is a low, wooden table frame covered by a heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. Underneath is a heat source, traditionally a charcoal brazier. Kotatsu is used almost exclusively in Japan. To strengthen the blanket and prevent heat from escaping, multiple fabric layers have been “sashiko-stitched” together by hand. It is rare to find blankets that old in such good conditions. History On one side a mark can be seen - assumingly this was a more expensive fabric that has later been used to fix the blanket. Or it could have been that no other fabric was available so that it became part of the blanket. Most likely the darker side was the “display side”. The indigo dyed fabric could be from mid-Meiji, around 1880. Fabric Cotton and hemp, homespun and hand-loomed. All natural dyes. Multiple layers. Measurements 155 cm x 160 cm 5,1 x 5,3 ft 1,5 kg 3,3 lbs Condition Excellent condition of fabric, little to no stains Very robust material which can be used without concerns Large piece shows a crest Vivid blue colors Despite its old age, the fabric is free from any musty scent as it has been professionally cleaned and carefully ironed to preserve the organic dye. Using traditional organic methods, tiny repairs may have been made to strengthen the fabric.