Stencil Item Number: Ed5.3103 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
The rectangular stencil has an overall komon cut design of repeated small motifs of cherry blossoms and zigzags. Register points are located along the edges of the design.
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. Komon is a small overall design used for restrained monochrome patterns on apparel of samurai and townsfolk.
fabric printing
Cherry blossom: spring, feminine beauty, good luck, royal emblem.