Untitled

Unknown

18th–19th century · Paper · Asian Art

The tiny scattered pattern of this stencil consists entirely of two characters from the katakana syllabary, ki and ri. The curve of the lines that form the character ri adds a dynamic rhythm and movement to the design. Since Japanese is full of homonyms, several words can be formed from these two characters, but the most appropriate to the pattern may be kirikiri, a mimetic word referring to speediness and spinning.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th–19th century

Medium

Paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Isao Honma and Mr. and Mrs. Shinjiro Okajima, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Tatsugoro Okajima, 1972