This evocative hand-painted watercolor is an original and distinct artwork from Japan, dating to the Late Taisho to Early Showa period (1920–1940). Measuring 11 inches by 16 inches (28 cm x 41 cm), this piece was specifically crafted by a Japanese artist as a technical blueprint for yuzen resist-dye work on a silk kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing a masterful blend of rustic landscape elements and refined floral motifs set against a rich, saturated field.
The composition is set against a deep terracotta-red ground, providing a warm backdrop for a serene autumnal garden scene. On the left, a stylized bamboo fence and gate are rendered with fine white and grey linework, surrounded by a cluster of chrysanthemums (kiku) in shades of cream, ochre, and pale blue. Interspersed among the blooms are scalloped clouds of kanoko (dappled) patterns and delicate sprigs of wildflowers, while stylized pine branches and horizontal gold lines provide a sense of structural balance to the floating floral arrangement. The design effectively captures the transition from classical naturalism to the more structured, graphic sensibility of the early 20th century.