This intricate and vibrant 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 piece was masterfully crafted by a Japanese artist in Kyoto’s renowned Nishijin district using paint on thick paper. While the surface shows some minor paint cracking consistent with its history as a working studio document, it remains in very good condition and served as a precise technical template for a high-end woven obi.

The composition is a symmetrical masterwork set against a deep, midnight-black ground. It features a large, central floral mandala (karabana) that radiates outward with extraordinary complexity. The heart of the mandala is a rich, crimson flower with violet accents, surrounded by interlocking scrolls of ochre-yellow, forest green, and sky blue. Sprays of delicate pink and white cherry blossoms are tucked into the emerald foliage, while stylized white shells or fans anchor the vertical axis. The top and bottom of the paper show the repeating edges of the next medallion, providing the necessary continuity for the weaver to create a seamless, infinite pattern along the length of the silk belt.

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