Japanese fabric "Kaiawase" with cherry red background, in 100% cotton dobby.

Japanese 100% cotton fabric, with "Kaiawase" shell motif on a cherry red background.

Dobby weave, with threads of irregular thickness, which gives a special relief to the fabric.

Kaiawase is an ancient game in which pairs of shells were decorated with the same pattern, or sometimes with a poem and a picture illustrating it, and these pairs had to be found. The shells of huge hamaguri clams, which could be as big as the size of the palm of your hand, were used for this purpose. 

Kai-awase was played among members of the nobility as early as the Heian era (794-1192).

A game of kai-awase could consist of hundreds of decorated shells, which were kept in a special lacquered box, the hokkai-bako, usually hexagonal or octagonal.

Enjoy this fabric in garments, accessories or decoration.

• Origin: Japan.
• Fabric: Printed dobby cotton.
• Material: Cotton 100%
• Width: 110 cm
• Length by unit: 50cm

The price shown is per unit (50 cm), i.e. if you want to order 1 m, you will need 2 units. IF YOU ORDER MORE THAN ONE UNIT, IT IS SUPPLIED IN COMPLETE PIECES.

Machine wash at low temperature, gentle cycle, preferably inside out, to ensure long life. Do not use bleach or whiteners, spin very gently, iron at low temperature.

It is recommended to wash before use. Cotton fabrics may shrink up to 5%.

Actual colour may vary, due to individual screen settings.