A Full Scale Roof Tile Drawing: Double Sided

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
15 1/4" x 11", 38.5 cm x 28 cm

This is a hand made ink drawing which comes from the workshop of a roof tile maker in Ise, Japan.

The drawing is done in charcoal-based ink on paper, and the full-scale design is meant for a decorative element of a traditional tiled roof. As might be able to be discerned by looking at the detail photos here, the paper is delicate and is well-creased.

This one is interesting because it is two-sided and each side shows an interesting working drawing for a roof tile element: the layering of images as seen through the translucent paper adds a further abstract dimension to the image.

The curved lines are symbolic of cloud-like elements. They can often be seen on traditional Japanese tiled roofs and carved wooden eaves as they suggest vapor, "wetness" and rain, which, of course, are extremely important to homes in cities that are made of paper and wood.  Fire was a big problem in old Japan, and talismans embedded in the design of the house were used in an effort to stave them off.

Just lovely--and its abstracted image as pulled out of context is curious and attractive.