A Full-Scale Roof Tile Drawing: Section

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
21" x 15", 53.5 cm x 38 cm

This is a hand made ink drawings 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.

Cloud-like elements 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 were used to stave them off.

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