katagami (Stencil)
About this object
History of use
The katazome method of dying fabric used a resist paste applied through a stencil; when the paste dried the stencil was removed and colour was applied by brush. The paste was then washed away leaving undyed areas to form pattern against coloured ground. Prior to the 16th century cut stencils were used to colour leather armour. However, during the Edo Period (1603-1868) the technique was developed as a true native craft.
Cultural context
fabric printing; textiles
Iconographic meaning
Bamboo: strength, longevity, good luck, endurance; battledores: associated with girls festival and new year's day.
Physical description
The rectangular stencil has a cut design containing four battledores with floral patterns; five balls with floral motifs and one incomplete ball; seven bamboo motifs; seven geometric motifs made of dots; and eleven square motifs made of eight lines. There are two register points on each side of the design.
Materials
Cut Laminated Smoked Dried / paper Persimmon juice
