Katagami stencil depicting tatewaku – lines undulating in opposing directions formed of wisteria blossom

Katagami stencil depicting tatewaku - lines undulating in opposing directions. This design is sometimes interpreted as rising steam or the rising of good fortune. The lines are formed of wisteria blossom, traditionally an early Summer flower. 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.