Stencil

Art Historical Context

This delicate 19th-century Japanese, crafted from paper and measuring 19 x 12 inches, exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Edo-period (1603–1868) and early Meiji-era (1868–1912). Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, it entered the collection as a gift from Mrs. Horace Havemeyer in 2. Though the artist remains unknown, such stencils—known as *katagami*—were essential tools in traditional Japanese textile production, particularly for dyeing luxurious kimonos and fabrics. Made from tough mulberry paper, these stencils were meticulously hand-cut with tiny knives ...