‘Sakura’ (Cherry Blossom) katagami stencil

Brief description

'Sakura' (Cherry Blossom) katagami stencil, 1850-1890

Date

1850-1890

Dimensions

height: 260mm
width: 416mm
stencil height: 145mm
stencil width: 358mm

More details

'Sakura' (Cherry Blossom) pattern has been favoured by Japanese since the Heian period (794-1185). It symbolises new beginnings, renewal (early Spring), beauty and the transience of life. It is said that Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties were held and the cherry blossom pattern is painted in the hopes of a good harvest. 'Sakura fubuki' (Blossoms falling) refers to the simultaneous falling of petals and the beauty of such state is admired as part of Hanami. The Cherry blossom pattern was popularly used in the costumes of Oiran Geisya and wearing second hand Cherry blossom kimonos was popular among common people during the Edo period (1603–1868). Many Ukiyo-e Cherry blossom Kimono prints were produced, promoting the pattern of actors and Oiran geisha costumes. 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. This Katagami employed the Itoire technique. This is one method of silk thread reinforcement in Katagami. Itoire was a detailed technique which was applied to Katagami by veteran female artisans at Shiroko, Ise, from about 1750. Itoire was used until 1920. See Markham, Mamiko (2018): Katagami technique Itoire. Middlesex University. Journal contribution. https://doi.org/10.22023/mdx.6477776.v1

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