This striking 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 to serve as a high-fidelity blueprint for yuzen resist-dye work on a silk kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing a bold, graphic sensibility that emerged during this era as traditional motifs were reimagined through modern design lenses.
The composition is dominated by a large, stylized origami crane (orizuru) rendered in a delicate lavender-purple with crisp white outlines. This central figure is set against a dynamic background of diagonal bands in deep forest green and warm ochre-gold. Within the dark green bands, the artist has included white geometric clusters that mimic the look of kanoko (dappled) tie-dyeing, a labor-intensive technique often simulated in yuzen painting. A small, triangular fragment of a red floral pattern peaks in from the left edge, adding a sharp point of contrast to the broader fields of color and emphasizing the rhythmic, angular energy of the piece.