Meiji Artist: Cats, Ribbons and Chrysanthemums Textile Design (Yuzome kami) (SOLD)

Artist: Meiji Artist (unsigned)
Title:  Textile Pattern with Cats, Ribbons and Chrysanthemums
Date: Ca. 1880

Repeating pattern of cats with chrysanthemums and ribbons. Known as Yuzome kami, this is an example of Yuzen design on paper created by artists for kimono craftsmen to copy. Yuzen dyeing is a resist-dyeing technique used in kimono decoration since the 17th century. In the Edo Period it was extremely labor intensive and therefore only the wealthy could afford kosode patterned with yuzen-zome.  Many painters, whose work was considered old fashioned and not modern enough for the Meiji rulers, sought work in the textile industry. The artists revitalized the late Edo-period designs and introduced more realistic patterns. A yuzen dealer requested the Japanese artist Chikudo Kishi to draw yuzen patterns (cartoons). Around 1875 Imao Keinin and Kono Barei contributed pictorial drawings for yuzen patterns. Then other Shijo-Maruyama school artists followed. If printed edge to edge, this pattern is repeating, allowing for a continuous design both left to right and top to bottom.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Unbacked.
Dimensions: 36.6 x 23.9 cm.
Literature: See the Digital Commons Paper by Yuko Fukatsu-Fukuoka “The Evolution of Yuzen-dyeing Techniques and Designs after the Meiji Restoration” (2004)

SKU: SPC102S