This dynamic hand-painted watercolor is an original and distinctive artwork from Japan, dating to the Late Taisho to Early Showa period (1920–1940). Measuring 17 inches by 12 inches (43 cm x 30 cm), this piece was meticulously crafted for the purpose of transposing its design to yūzen resist-dye work on a silk kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition and showcases a bold "Taisho Roman" aesthetic, characterized by its graphic interplay of traditional motifs and modern, rhythmic patterns.
The composition is set against a background of undulating blue waves, with alternating sections featuring a sharp, vertical pinstripe pattern. Scattered across this maritime scene are several rectangular and fan-shaped panels, each containing a unique martial or celebratory symbol. Notable imagery includes a takarabune (treasure ship) with a billowing sail, a war fan (tessen) decorated with a gold floral crest, and a martial arrangement of a bow, arrow, and target. A fourth panel at the base displays a stylized fish or helmet motif with swirling karakusa patterns. The color palette is sophisticated and muted, utilizing slate blue, dusty rose, and deep charcoal, all defined by the crisp resist-style outlines essential for a technical yūzen blueprint.