This is a Japanese door curtain, or 'noren', made up of three widths of fabric sewn partway down from the top. It is made of cotton and has been dyed with indigo. It has a very large 'mon' or family crest with wheat sheaves and some Japanese characters, which I'm afraid that I can't translate (perhaps one of my customers could read this and let me know what it means...?). Unlike a lot of decorative noren, this would have been actually used at perhaps a shrine, or to advertise a particular business. It shows some minor signs of wear at one end of the white strip at the top but nothing serious, and it would benefit from a good soak as it has some marks, however it is in very good shape considering it likely dates from the 1940's or 50's. This isn't a decorative item for tourists, but the 'real McCoy' and as such, would make a lovely focal point for a room. It measures 104 cm (41 in) wide by 127 cm (50 ins) long.
