Araiso (water climbing) (by Carp)) stencil

This Katagami pattern in the fashion of Koi (Carp) is shown gaining popularity in Ukiyo-e Kimonos around late Edo period (1780-1867). Katayoshi is believed to have produced many carp pattern Katagami, most certainly influenced from the mania of great wave art. The carp pattern combined with great waves was also related to this mania. In the Silver Studio collection k2.53, k1.12 and k2.22 are carp and wave designs, with designs k2.85, k2.33 and k2.85 also related to the carp. Koi is said to be a fish that succeeds in life and the design of carp waterfall climbing is emblematic of advancement and achievement. This is one of around 400 Japanese katagami stencils which are part of the Silver Studio Collection. The stencils were produced in Japan as a way of applying patterns to fabric, mainly kimonos. The katagami collected by the Silver Studio were used by their designers as reference material to produce their own Japanese-inspired patterns.