A Length of Pale Blue Hemp or Ramie Katazome: Chrysanthemums

early twentieth century
42" x 12 3/4", 106.75 cm x 32.25 cm

This is a length of hemp or ramie katazome cloth that has been stenciled on both its sides making it "reversible."

The reason for doing this was to create a crisp, clear image. What we also see, and what is one of the handicaps of stenciling on both sides is that sometimes the image blurs on the edges due to slightly poor registration.

The pattern is an often-seen one of large-scale, stylized chrysanthemums that are both dark and light. The field is crowded yet there is a levity due to the way the chrysanthemums are rendered as big, airy pompoms. 

There is a faint stain to the center of one the flowers as can be seen on the accompanying detail photo and there is one very attractive, small grey-colored plaid patch to the top, left corner.

Delightful.