This enchanting hand-painted artwork is an original and unique creation from Japan, dating to the Mid-Showa period (1945–1965). Measuring 12 inches by 29 inches (30 cm x 74 cm), this distinctive piece was produced by a skilled artist in Kyoto's renowned Nishijin district, the historic center of luxury Japanese textile weaving. Painted on thick paper, the work served as a technical design for a woven obi, the wide traditional belt worn with a kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing a dense, whimsical "all-over" pattern that balances traditional botanical elements with playful nautical motifs.

The composition is set against a deep, midnight black ground, which serves to make the vibrant colors of the pattern pop with theatrical intensity. Floating throughout the field is a festive array of butterflies, small sailing boats with white sails, and folding fans. These are interspersed with a variety of stylized flowers, including five-petaled blossoms and rounded floral clusters in shades of apricot-orange, lavender, ochre, and soft pink. The artist has utilized crisp white outlines and fine stippling to create a sense of texture, mimicking the intricate needlework and thread changes found in high-quality Nishijin brocades.

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