This elegant hand-painted artwork is an original kimono design from Japan, dating to the Meiji period (1868–1912). Executed on thin paper and mounted on a larger archival page, this piece likely originated from a design ledger or reference book used in Kyoto's Nishijin district, the historic heart of high-end Japanese textile production. The artwork measures approximately 14 inches by 23 inches (36 cm x 58 cm) and remains in very good condition, offering a rare glimpse into the technical drafting process of late 19th-century artisans.

The composition focuses on the majestic hō-ō (mythical phoenix), a symbol of high virtue, grace, and the imperial house. Rendered in precise, dark green ink-wash outlines, two phoenixes are shown in a dynamic, ascending flight against a natural, cream-toned paper ground. The artist has meticulously detailed the layered, scale-like feathers of the wings and the long, flowing plumage of the tails, which sweep across the page in a rhythmic, calligraphic fashion. This specific draft likely served as a "pattern-transfer" guide, where the bold outlines would be traced or referenced by weavers to ensure the correct proportions and flow of the mythical birds within a complex brocade or embroidery.

This artwork is featured on page 149 of Art Kimono: Aesthetic Revelations of Japan, 1905-1960. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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