This regal hand-painted artwork is an original and unique creation from Japan, dating to the Mid-Showa period (1945–1965). Measuring 12 inches by 30 inches (30 cm x 76 cm), this distinctive piece was produced by a skilled artist in Kyoto's renowned Nishijin district, the historical heart of luxury textile weaving. Painted on fabric and lined with paper, the work served as a technical design template for a woven obi, the wide traditional belt worn with a kimono. The artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing an opulent "all-over" pattern that combines auspicious mythical birds with classical Japanese decorative objects.
The composition is set against a sophisticated silver-grey damask ground, which is meticulously painted with subtle floral and diamond-shaped yagasuri (arrow) patterns. Floating across this field are two large, triangular folding fans or screens rendered in a deep, saturated black. Each fan is decorated with a vibrant phoenix (hō-ō) with multi-colored wings, surrounded by a lush arrangement of peonies (botan) and chrysanthemums (kiku) in shades of crimson, gold, and white. Long, braided cords and tassels in lime green, orange, and indigo blue sweep across the entire design, held together by elegant knots that provide a sense of rhythmic connection and movement.