Wisteria and Paper Yarn

Dating to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, this unused bolt of otsuzure is woven from an undyed wisteria-fiber warp and a weft of paper-wrapped wisteria yarn. Produced primarily in northern Niigata Prefecture, otsuzure was a durable cloth commonly used for work garments. Combining wisteria with paper-wrapped wisteria yarn created a strong, densely woven textile with a distinctive tactile surface.

Surviving unused bolts of otsuzure are exceptionally uncommon, making this example particularly valuable for understanding the textile in its original state, before it was cut, sewn, or altered through wear.