Stencil Item Number: Ed5.3029 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

The rectangular stencil has a thin cut design of peony outlines with bamboo patterned background. There are register points located along the edges of the design. There is a fan-shaped cutout in one corner.

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

Peony: royal emblem, prosperity, summer.