This fascinating 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, showcasing a rare and whimsical "Globalist" aesthetic that emerged during the pre-war era, blending traditional Japanese line-work with exotic imagery inspired by world travel and folk art.

The composition is densely packed with a playful array of motifs set against a warm, mustard-ochre ground. Organized within a geometric framework of dotted borders, the design features an eclectic mix of floral sprays, potted plants, and diverse fauna, including birds with patterned plumage, a stylized camel, and a leaping rabbit. Most notably, the right side of the piece includes exotic architectural and natural elements like a pyramid and a tropical palm tree. The color palette is sophisticated and muted, utilizing dusty blues, terra cotta reds, and sage greens, all defined by the crisp, dark outlines characteristic of a technical yūzen blueprint.

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