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. A komon design is a small overall motif used for restrained monochrome designs on apparel of the samurai and the townsfolk.

fabric printing

The rectangular stencil has an overall komon cut design of a tiny 'h' shape and two half circles. There are register points along the edges of the design.