Sitatarumizu (dribbling water) pattern was widely used on Katagami during the middle of Edo period (around 1750 ) to the middle of Meiji (around 1890). It represents the pattern of flowing water droplets. In Japan water has long been appreciated as a cleanser in various situations.
This Sitatarumizu pattern is a modified version of stripe patterns. In the mid-Edo era (around 1750), there were many pattern variations on the stripe besides this dribbling one and they were all stylish attires of Kabuki actors and Oiran geisha. They featured in the stylish attires of the Edo area. Townspeople liked striped pattern very much and they bought second-hand kimono. This type of pattern was worn throughout the year regardless of season, many being produced.
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.
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