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

Physical description

The rectangular stencil has a cut design of twelve rows of dots in a scroll pattern. Scattered throughout are three prong leaf design of various sizes in groupings of three and five petal flower designs. Register points are located along the edges of the design.