This remarkable hand-painted watercolor is an original and distinctive artwork from Japan, dating to the Late Taisho to Early Showa period (1920–1940). Measuring 16 inches by 12 inches (41 cm x 30 cm), this piece was meticulously created for the purpose of transposing its design to yūzen resist-dye work on a silk kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing the peak of the "Taisho Roman" aesthetic, which frequently fused traditional Japanese craftsmanship with European historical and literary references.
The composition is centered on a deep charcoal-purple horizontal band, which is populated by a playful arrangement of interconnected rings in black, white, and rust red. Overlaid on this field are two highly detailed motifs: a circular medallion containing dense, calligraphic floral scrollwork and a rectangular book-like panel. This panel features French typography referencing "Les Comediens du Roy" (The King's Actors), surrounded by illustrations of theatrical figures and crests. Framing this central section are two wide borders of rhythmic key fret (raimon) patterns, rendered with the architectural precision characteristic of a technical yūzen blueprint.