This example is a true komon; a pattern in which the elements are so small as to be invisible generating a shimmering effect. This komon was made to simulate sharkskin, an expensive and labor intensive material that for a century was limited to the military class, where it was used to cover the grip of swords.

Similarly the dots in this pattern are considered the most difficult to execute, the finest are carved with a drill, others, a punch. The drill, or kiri, has a crescent-shaped blade that is rotated to cut out a disc of paper. Both techniques require both hands.  out the dot leaving no chad. Other dots are drilled leaving a slight but visible spiral. These dots serve yet a third aesthetic associated with shibori. This tie dye technique can be extremely fine yielding dots as small as a grain of sand. This is a rare and outstanding example in superb condition.