This elegant hand-painted watercolor is an original and distinctive artwork from Japan, dating to the late Taisho to early Showa period (1920–1940). Created by a professional textile artist, this piece served as a precise design template for the yuzen resist-dyeing technique, a method celebrated for its ability to produce painterly, multi-colored imagery on silk kimono. Measuring 9 inches by 17 inches (23 cm x 43 cm), the work remains in very good condition, showcasing a sophisticated botanical aesthetic that balances traditional nature motifs with a modern, structured layout.
The composition features two parallel, horizontal trailing vines set against a deep, velvety maroon ground. The leaves are rendered with delicate gradations of color, shifting from soft sage green to a gentle rose pink, capturing a sense of seasonal transition. Interspersed along the undulating white stems are stylized seed pods that have burst open to reveal bright golden-yellow beans. Each element is defined by crisp, white resist lines—a technical requirement for the yuzen artisan to prevent colors from bleeding during the dyeing process. Small, scattered diamond-shaped accents provide a subtle geometric rhythm to the rich background.