katagami (Stencil)

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 C.E.) the technique was developed as a true native craft. The paulownia tree is used in the imperial crest.

fabric printing

Paulownia tree: imperial emblem; phoenix: one of four sacred creatures.

The light brown rectangular stencil has a cut design of two mediallions with a phoenix motif, surrounded by paulownia leaves and a scroll pattern. There are register points located along the edges of the design. There is a fan-shaped cutout in one corner. There are traces of Japanese script on the back.