Stencil Item Number: Ed5.3116 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

The rectangular stencil has a cut design of one large iris and two large half iris motifs. Register points are located along the edges of the design. Traces of Japanese script on the back and Japanese characters along short side on the front.

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.

Iconographic Meaning

Iris: success, associated with the boy's festival in may.

Cultural Context

fabric printing