A Katagami Cut from Re-used Paper: Several Motifs

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
13 3/4" x 9 1/2", 35 cm x 24 cm

A katagami is a hand cut stencil that is used as a guide to apply rice paste to the surface of cloth when dyeing in the katazome method. 

Katagami are made of paper that has been saturated with green persimmon tannin or kaki shibu and then smoked for added durability.

This one is unusual in the fact that recycled paper was used to create this stencil: by looking at the accompanying detail photo you can easily see this.

The pattern represented on this one is a repeat of different motifs, each simply drawn, and among them we can see lozenges, ivy, the bridge for the stringed instrument koto and a flower form among others.

As well note the isolated areas where black dye can still be seen: the random splotches on the face of this stencil add a beautiful element.

It is both charming and very rare to find--and a small gem.