This evocative hand-painted watercolor is a unique original creation from Japan, dating to the late Meiji period (1890–1912). Measuring 18 inches by 13 inches (46 cm x 33 cm), this piece was meticulously rendered on fine rice paper to serve as a technical blueprint for yuzen resist-dye work on a silk kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing the transition from traditional painterly styles to the more graphic, rhythmic compositions that defined the turn of the century.

The composition is a masterful display of the "crane and pine" motif, featuring several blue-crowned cranes nestled among the boughs of an ancient pine tree. The artist has used a distinctive palette of deep slate blue for the birds, contrasted with warm ochre and sienna for the gnarled tree trunk. The pine needles are rendered with energetic, rhythmic brushstrokes in shades of forest green and tan, creating a dense, protective canopy. Small red accents on the cranes' heads provide a striking pop of color against the neutral, aged tone of the rice paper, while the overall arrangement suggests an auspicious scene of longevity and enduring strength.

This artwork is featured on page 149 of Art Kimono: Aesthetic Revelations of Japan, 1905-1960. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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