Katagami Japanese Stencil

Edo Craftsman

Published by Circa 1840, Japan, 1840

About this Item

A Japanese Mulberry Paper Stencil (31 x 40 cm sheet size), being a beautifully delicate geometric design, that appears unused, although there is a very small dab of blue dye top left of the stencil as left by the late Edo dyers, 1800-1840. The stencils are made of two or more layers of handmade Mulberry paper laminated together, which is hardened and waterproofed with persimmon juice. A matrix of raw silk threads are laid between the layers of Mulberry paper for reinforcement. Many of the more delicately designed stencils are extremely fragile once cut, leaving insufficient paper to hold them together, consequently the silk threads support the floating designs and are so fine that no mark is left when the dye is applied through the stencil. An exceptional survival in fine condition of a unique stencil. BIBLIOGRAPHY: (1) Japanese Stencil Designs, One Hundred Outstanding Examples Collected And Introduced By Andrew W. Tuer. Facsimile Illustrations Of The Art Of The Japanese Stencil-Cutter, 1892. Reprinted New York: Dover, 1967. (2) The Great Japan Exhibition, Art Of The Edo Period 1600-1868, At The Royal Academy Of Arts 1981-1982. (3) The Designers Guide To Japanese Patterns. Jeanne Allen. Thames And Hudson, 1988. Seller Inventory # 1403AJ

Bibliographic Details

Title: Katagami Japanese Stencil

Publisher: Circa 1840, Japan

Publication Date: 1840

Binding: Mulberry Paper Stencil

Illustrator: Edo Craftsman

Condition: Fine