Stencil Item Number: Ed5.3125 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

The rectangular stencil has thirteen rows consisting of small dots and half moons. Five petal flowers fill the area between the rows. Two register points are located along the long sides of the design. Japanese characters written on the back of the stencil.

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