Stencil Item Number: Ed5.3110 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

The light brown rectangular stencil has a cut design of three medallions, made of a crane and leaf motif and surrounded by a vine motif. A register point is located in each quadrant. Fan shaped hole is cut in the lower left corner. Traces of Japanese script on the back.

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

Crane: longevity, associated with mythical powers.

Cultural Context

fabric printing