Japanese Sawtooth Wavy Lines Stencil

A large mulberry paper stencil which has been treated with persimmon juice to make them impermeable to the starch resist which was stenciled onto cotton fabric. The resulting pattern on the fabric would leave the stencil pattern in white (the original color of the cloth being printed) and the remaining fabric would accept a deep blue dye. These large-scale patterns were used for printing yukata — summer kimono. Each stencil is as wide as the printed fabric and would then be spaced end-to-end to print enough fabric for one kimono, approximately 11 meters. Mid to late 20th century.

(Currently mounted and sheathed in plastic cover.) Large: 21 x 49 inches as mounted; stencil is 17-½ x 47 inches.