Lao weaving that's a bit Japanese

For those that know me, they know that I love Japanese designers and design. This Lao silk and cotton throw is amazing in texture and intricacy of design. It is winter-weight heavy and its inherent structural quality, immediately reminded me of Japanese kimonos and the obi. This piece arrived on my doorstep like an anonymous donation but was in fact from my grandmother to share with you. I haven’t seen many of these around at all, particularly on my last trip to Lao. It could be an older design which young Lao women of today may consider ‘vintage’ as the motifs of today are very minimal and simplistic, possibly reflecting their changing beliefs.