Stencil Item Number: Ed5.2974 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

The light brown rectangular stencil has an abstract cut design. There are one larger and two smaller motifs of curved lines, with random small triangular motifs of three small dots.

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

Iconographic Meaning

Cherry blossom: spring, feminine beauty ,good luck, royal emblem.