Carved Paper: The Art of the Japanese Stencil

"This is an immensely rich and comprehensive book, the first of its kind, about Japanese paper-stencil carving (katagami) used in textile resist-dyeing processes. It's filled with extraordinary reproductions of printed textiles and of the actual stencils, which are made from mulberry paper and persimmon tannin and carved by craftspeople into intricate repeat patterns, using a variety of methods that are illustrated in this carefully researched book. Carved Paper describes the historical and societal importance of the printed textile industry, which involved an extensive distribution system throughout Japan. The textiles were very popular for uses ranging from the formal dress of Samurai to hemp and cotton work clothing. The book focuses mainly on stencils from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art collection, with pieces made from 1850 to 1930. It points to the designs' affinity with ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement and of Art Nouveau." - Review by Arthur Okamura for the Whole Earth Catalog, Spring 1999