This radiant hand-painted artwork is an original textile design from Japan, dating to the Mid-Showa period (1868–1912). Originating from a professional studio in Kyoto's renowned Nishijin district, this piece was rendered on thick paper to serve as a high-fidelity blueprint for a woven obi. Measuring 12 inches by 25 inches (30 cm x 64 cm), the artwork remains in very good condition, showcasing the luxurious textures and complex layering techniques that define Kyoto's weaving heritage.
The composition features a lush, vertical spray of stylized blossoms and ferns, flowing upward in a graceful serpentine curve. The flowers are rendered in warm shades of golden-ochre and cream, with intricate cross-hatching and dot-work centers that suggest the "shining" effect of gold thread. The background is a masterful exercise in texture, featuring a weathered silver-leaf effect with organic "crackle" patterns. Deep indigo and burgundy washes provide a moody, atmospheric depth, while vertical ribbed lines—reminiscent of traditional ro or tsuzure-ori weaving—run through the substrate, guiding the weaver's eye.