TEXTILES
Japan
Katagami (stencil)
19th century
Cut mulberry paper
Mulberry paper cured with persimmon juice
8 1/2 x 13 7/8 in. (21.6 x 35.2 cm) image size;11 1/4 x 16 in. (28.6 x 40.6 cm) sheet size
Frances and Thomas Blakemore Collection
TC 96.2-54

Two crane (tsuru) motifs are set atop what might be suns (hi) surrounded by a Chinese vine (karakusa). The auspicious crane, symbolizing a thousand years of life, was adopted by the warrior class and was used by families with the element tsuru in their surnames such as Tsuru and Tsuruda. -- Researched by Elisa Law, Spring 2013.