Stencil with Pattern of Fans on Water

Art Historical Context

In the Asian Art collection of the Metropolitan Museum of, this exquisite 19th-century Japanese, titled *Stencil with Pattern of Fans on*, captivates with its delicate motif of fans gracefully drifting across rippling water. Crafted paper reinforced with silk threads, the19 x 12-inch (48.3 x 30.5 cm) artwork exemplifies the precision of traditional katagami stencils. The silk reinforcement provided durability, allowing these tools to withstand repeated use while preserving intricate cutouts that could capture even the finest details. During Japan's Edo and early Meiji periods, stencils like t...