A Hand Made Sample Book of Stenciled Patterns: 60 Swatches

ca. early to mid twentieth century
when folded: 12 1/4", x 8", 31 cm x 20 cm

This is a good-sized sample book which is hand made from washi or Japanese mulberry fiber paper.

The book contains 60 individual samples of a kind of stenciled "faux-kasuri" or ikat patterns, each sample rendered in deep brown dye, and each on a cotton swatch.

It is hard to say what kind of technique was used to create faux-kasuri: it may be a kind of mechanized technique or a very facile hand stenciling: although the faux-kasuri seems to be done in the katazome or stencil resist dye method, it is more likely that is done using a dye applied directly to cloth through some form of stencil.

This mihon cho or sample book is rich in designs and patterns, and it is a veritable treasure trove of design information--and inspiration!

Just lovely.