Publisher Description

The natural Japanese affinity for decorative art is apparent in this striking collection of exquisite stencil designs. A centuries-old tradition of capturing nature in striking floral and wildlife motifs is reflected in the graceful shapes and lovely lines of more than 100 illustrations. Lush blossoms, bamboo branches, butterflies, birds on the wing, and rustic country homes, among other subjects long associated with Japanese art, are boldly printed in black and white.Ready for use as patterns for wallpaper, textiles, graphics, and needlework, these delicate royalty-free images are ideal for a host of modern decorative and graphic needs.

Table of Contents

Blooming Peony Branches 1. Carp Swimming in Waves 2. A Pair of Cranes in Pine Branches 3. A Cherry Tree in Bloom 4. Peony Blooms and Buds 5. Bamboo, Camellias, and Sparrows 6. Pine Needles and Buds on a Rocky Ground 7. Bamboo Rods, Pine Needles on Snow Rosettes and Circular Cranes (symbols of luck) 8. Rosette-Shaped Young Pine Motifs (with roots) situated among Ferns (symbol of the New Year) 9. Floral Motifs on Cloud Background 10. Cranes and Autumnal Reeds 11. Bridge Patterns in a Swamp of Irises 12. Wickerwork; Matching Stencil Pair for Two-Tone Decoration 13. Blooming Branches of a Kiri Tree (Paulownia imperialis) 14. Karakusa: Stylized Chrysanthemums in a Chinese Style 15. Carnations in Bloom 16. Bamboo and Mum Blooms 17. Hishi Blooms on a Diamond-Scored Background 18. Branches of the Hanging Cherry Tree (blooms with various inner patterns); Fans with Swallows, Clouds with Cross Patterns 19. Straw Roofed Houses in a Bamboo Thicket 20. Nets Hung Out to Dry; Waves 21. Dragon in a Swirl of Clouds 22. Peony Blooms 23. Bamboo Rods and Shapes Containing Floral Motifs 24. Butterflies on a Background of Dotted Clouds 25. Grapevines 26. Wild Geese and Reeds 27. Hexagonal Fields with Blooms and Basic Patterns (in Karakusa style) 28. Peony Blooms with Lightly Scored Background 29. Bamboo Rods 30. Small Snow Rosettes with Pine Needles and Mums 31. Pine Branches 32. Sword Lilies 33. Monochoria, Okra Flowers, Hagi Branches 34. Colt's Foot 35. Hydrangea and Carnations 36. Radishes 37. Gourds 38. Maple branches 39. Pine Branches and Spotted Bamboo Rods 40. Well Openings Containing the Character "Tatsu" ( Dragon) 41. Fish in a Whirlpool 42. Butterflies and Hagi Branches 43. Cherry Blooms with a Stripe Pattern 44. Star Pattern with Floral Motifs 45. Mum Blooms with Diagonal Stripes 46. Pine, Bamboo, and Mums in Snow 47. Peony Flowers 48. Swallows in Maple Branches 49. Falcons in Pine Branches 50. Swallows in Rain 51. Iris Swamp 52. Waves 53. Wild Geese in Waves 54. Torn Ginkgo Leaves with Vetch Tendrils 55. Nightingales in a Blooming Mum Tree 56. Nandina and Sparrows 57. Glycine Flowers with Pairs of Written Characters (meaning "nine") 58. Vetch Tendrils 59. Wild Geese Flying Over Susuki Grass 60. Blooming Sword Lilies 61. Bamboo Trees 62. Old Bamboo Rods 63. Pine 64. Swallows and Weeping Willows 65. Lobsters 66. Butterflies 67. Butterflies and Chrysanthemums 68. Sho-shiku-bai. Snow (in Rosette form), Mum Flowers, Pine Needles 69. Blooming Cherry Branches 70. Swallows, Footballs, and Willow Rods 71. Swimming Carp, Goldfish, and Trout 72. Ominaeshi (an autumn plant) 73. Peonies and Bamboo Rods 74. Blooming Hibiscus 75. Colt's Foot 76. Weeping Willow and Swallows 77. Morning Glories on Bamboo Rods 78. Butterflies and Susuki Grass 79. Vine Tendrils and Bamboo Rods 80. Fall Motif: Ginkgo Leaves, Maple Branches, Blades of Grass (with Dew) and Wild Geese over an Island with Pine Trees and Fields 81. Lobsters 82. Pine Branches with Cones 83. Vines on a Diagonally Striped Background 84. Star Pattern with Snow Flowers 85. "Shippo" Pattern (overlapping circles) with Hishi Flowers 86. Swimming Carp 87. Wild Geese over Water and Chenopodium Plants 88. Eggplant (Solanum Melongena) 89. Quail in Hagi Bushes 90. Cranes in Water and in a Pine Tree by the Shore 91. Torn Banana Leaves 92. Roses, Carnations, Sparrows 93. Clematis 94. Blooming Cherry Flowers 95. Dying Cedar Trees 96. Pine and Climbing Plants ("Tsuta") 97. Glycine Leaves 98. Vines 99. Peach Branches and Cherry Blooms 100. Bamboo with Braided Patterns 101. Written on Slates with Pencils and Chrysanthemum

Long Description

The natural Japanese affinity for decorative art is apparent in this striking collection of 104 exquisite stencil designs, reproduced from a rare 19th-century publication. Motifs depict -- among other subjects -- lush florals, bamboo branches, birds on the wing, and rustic country homes. Captions identify the patterns.

Details