Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Interlocking Circles



Interlocking Circles
Itiore Reinforcement
Meiji Period
c. 1868-1912





Interlocking Circles
Detail


Note: This Katagami has been trimmed at the bottom.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Ivy Crest



Ivy Crest
Meiji Period
c. 1868-1912
Itoire Reinforcement




Ivy Crest Detail

Pine Needles



Katagami Pine Needles
Unused
Meiji Period (?)





Pine Needle Detail
Reverse side


*Note: This is an unused katagami which seems to have been carved from a used peice of paper. The paper is quite thin and delicate. I have detailed the reverse to showcase the inscriptions on the back.

7 Treasures (shippō)



Katagami 7 Treasures (shippō)
Taisho/Showa Period
c. 1912-
Shabari Silk Reinforcement




7 Treasures Detail
Note:

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Hanabashi


Hanabashi (Floral Lozenge)
Taisho/Showa Period





Hanabashi Detail
Shabari Reinforcement

Music Book and Bachi


Music Book and Bachi
Taisho Period
c. 1912-1926
Kimono Stencil



Music Book and Bachi Detail
No Silk Reinforcement


With the help of Nancy at Kyoto Kimono and her friend Junko in Japan, we know a little about the "story" of this stencil as well as the lettering on the "Music Book"...It reads down from the top, and each symbol has a vowel-consonant combination sound:
Tsu
Ru
Ka
Me

Tsuru means crane and kame means turtle, which are two very strong symbols in Japanese lore and customs for long life and happiness. And the triangular image in front of the lower book is indeed a shamisen pick (called a bachi), so she felt that the books were musical books on how to play. The image that is divided between the top and bottom of the stencil seems to be a wooden music stand (which goes on the floor in front of the player, too).
Thanks Nancy!

Geisha-Girl and Guest

Geisha Girl and Guest
Kimono Stencil
Taisho Period
c. 1912-1926




Geisha Girl and Guest Detail
Itoire Reinforcement

Traveler and Ume Tree


Traveler and Ume Tree
Taisho Period
c. 1912-1926



Traveler and Ume Tree Detail
Itoire Reinforcement

Peony & Chrysanthemum Tengugui-Ban

SOLD
Peony & Chrysanthemum Tengugui-Ban
(101cm x 39cm) Unused
Mid-Showa Period
c. 1957




Tenugui-Ban Detail
Shabari Reinforcement