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Japanese Katagami
19th century

or Ise-katagami is the art of making stencils for fabric printing. The art is traditionally centered on the city of Suzuka in Mie Prefecture. Multiple layers of thin washi paper, often from the mulberry tree, are bonded with a glue extracted from persimmon, which makes a strong flexible brown coloured paper. Often used on kimono fabric which is then resist dyed using the stencil.

The use of stencils was first noted in the Nara period AD 710    Katagami stencils inspired artists from the Wiener Werkstatte at the turn of the 20th century. Liberty's were selling these at the turn of the century.

The Museum of Domestic Design & Architecture held a symposium: Japonisme in Design   of similar stencils in April at the Asia House in Cavendish Street London W1.    

These beautiful decorative designs could be used today for fabric or paper printing. They are amazing. I wonder how long it took to cut one. They would look good framed.

 This is a particular lovely example.            

 

Cataloguing

With large interlocking flowerheads, some cut out and some solid.

16 x 10 in; 41 x 25 cm

 

 

Condition

These have of course been used.

no 20 has hand written ink caligraphy on the reverse. A little light red paint on the front.

Ask for more photos.