Exhibition/event has ended.
Katagami―Japanese Paper Stencil Techniques
International Christian University Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum
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Katagami are stencils used for dyeing made from Japanese paper on which patterns are carved, the paper having been waterproofed with persimmon tannin. When dyeing using Katagami, the stencil is first placed on the fabric and a dye-resist paste made of rice is applied over it. After the fabric is dyed and the paste washed off, the areas covered by paste remain undyed forming white patterns. Katagami are used in the application of small figure designs on cloth (edokomon), printed silk (kata yūzen), as well as on light cotton cloth for yukata. The history of Katagami is long. Stencil dyeing employing the same techniques as today was already in practice during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).
Usually, one stencil is moved across a piece of material to produce a continuous design. Elaborate patterns can be made by using two or three stencils, which is called “double stenciling” or “triple stenciling.” Pattern-carving methods include push-carving, awl-carving, pull-carving, and tool-carving, with appropriate techniques used for different designs. Thread insertion, requiring supreme delicacy and high level of technique, is necessary to hold patterns in place. Most of the stencils are from the Shiroko and Jike areas of Suzuka city along the Ise Bay, and they are generally known as “Ise paper stencils” (Ise Katagami). They became popular during the Edo period (1603–1868) due to the patronage of the Ki Domain. There are stencils from areas other than Ise, such as Kyoto, Edo and Aizu as well.
This exhibition highlights the great variety of Katagami patterns and the sophistication and precision of carving techniques employed.
Usually, one stencil is moved across a piece of material to produce a continuous design. Elaborate patterns can be made by using two or three stencils, which is called “double stenciling” or “triple stenciling.” Pattern-carving methods include push-carving, awl-carving, pull-carving, and tool-carving, with appropriate techniques used for different designs. Thread insertion, requiring supreme delicacy and high level of technique, is necessary to hold patterns in place. Most of the stencils are from the Shiroko and Jike areas of Suzuka city along the Ise Bay, and they are generally known as “Ise paper stencils” (Ise Katagami). They became popular during the Edo period (1603–1868) due to the patronage of the Ki Domain. There are stencils from areas other than Ise, such as Kyoto, Edo and Aizu as well.
This exhibition highlights the great variety of Katagami patterns and the sophistication and precision of carving techniques employed.
Schedule | Jan 9 (Tue) 2024-Mar 14 (Thu) 2024 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Venue | International Christian University Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum https://subsites.icu.ac.jp/yuasa_museum/index_e.html  | ||||
| Location | 3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-8585 | ||||
| Access | From the South exit of Musashi-sakai Station on the JR Chuo line, take the Odakyu bus and get off at International Christian University. The venue is 5 minute walk from there; From the South exit of Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo and Sobu lines, take the Odakyu bus and get off at International Christian University. The venue is 5 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it  |
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