This striking hand-painted watercolor is an original and distinctive artwork from Japan, dating to the Late Taisho to Early Showa period (1920–1940). Measuring 22 inches by 18 inches (56 cm x 46 cm), this piece was meticulously crafted to serve as a high-fidelity design for yūzen resist-dye work on a silk kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing a transition from classical floral aesthetics toward the bold, structured geometric patterns that gained popularity during Japan's early 20th-century modernization.

The composition features a rhythmic, repeating layout of large octagonal medallions set against a secondary grid of checkered diamond bands. The color palette is dominated by sophisticated shades of indigo blue, slate grey, and deep violet, accented by fine white stippling that creates a textured, "shibori-like" effect within the octagons. Each medallion contains a stylized, four-pointed floral motif resembling a clematis or a hybrid heraldic crest, rendered with sharp, calligraphic precision. The intricate black-and-white checkered borders suggest a technical complexity intended to be translated into the precise resist-pasting and hand-dyeing steps of the yūzen process.

This artwork is featured on page 162 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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