★ IMPORTANT INTANGIBLE CULTURAL PROPERTY - vintage japanese cotton kimono fabric - sold by the yard - KURUME KASURI - ICHIMATSU ★
 
Ichimatsu is a repeating pattern of alternating dark and light squares that represents prosperity of descendants and expansion of business. The meaning derives from the endless nature of the pattern.
 
KURUME KASURI takes a great deal of time and effort to make. Traditional technique that dates back over 200 years has been handed down over generations despite the ebb and flow of the ever-changing world of dyeing and weaving. Recognizing historical and artistic value of the technique, national government designated Kurume Kasuri as an important intangible cultural property in 1957.