This elegant hand-painted artwork is an original hinagata drawing from Japan, dating to the Meiji period (1868–1912). Originally crafted in Shizuoka prefecture, this piece served as a vital dyeing sample for kimono silk dyers, professional artisans who held the crucial responsibility of translating artistic visions into wearable textile patterns. Measuring approximately 10 inches by 11 inches (25 cm x 28 cm), the drawing is executed on traditional Japanese paper and remains in very good condition, preserving the subtle tonal shifts characteristic of high-quality Meiji craftsmanship.
The composition features a minimalist and serene depiction of bamboo stalks rising above a gentle stream. Set against a cool, muted lavender-grey ground, the bamboo leaves are rendered with a sophisticated "notan" effect, using varied ink washes to suggest light and shadow on the narrow, tapering blades. In the lower-left corner, a faint, copper-toned undulating line suggests the movement of water. The design is heavily weighted to the left, utilizing a vast expanse of empty space (ma) to evoke a sense of early morning mist or a quiet, secluded riverbank. On the left margin, a cream-colored mounting strip features vertical Japanese calligraphy and a specific reference number, marking its place in a dyer's professional archive.