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Katagami Style, Paper Stencils and Japonism

 

Date and Time:

August 28, 2012 (Tues) ~ October 14, 2012 (Sun)

9:30AM~5:00PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)

Museum closed on Mondays (if a national holiday falls on a Monday, the museum will open during the holiday and be closed the following day).

 

Location:

Mie Prefectural Art Museum

Mie-ken, Tsu-shi, Otani-cho 11

(Ten minute walk from the West exit of Tsu Station)

 

Admission:

General: 1000 yen (800 yen)

Senior high school and university students:800 yen (600 yen)

Elementary school and junior high school students: 500 yen (300 yen)

Admission for those who buy tickets in advance are written in ( ).

 

Advance tickets can be purchased at Kintetsu station sales offices, Ticket Pia, Circle K Sunkus and 7-11 convenience stores, etc.

 

What is “katagami”?

 

“Katagami” (lit: “pattern paper”) was originally developed as a tool to create patterns on traditional clothing in Japan. Craftsmen used special knives to carve stencils out of sheets of Japanese paper sealed together with persimmon juice. As its name suggests, the katagami art form has produced countless patterns that evoke Japan’s natural scenery.

 

During the latter half of the 19^th century, the World Expositions held in London and Paris brought Japanese art to the occidental world, resulting in a phenomenon known as “Japonism,” a strong influence of Japanese art on Western artists. However, to this day, many people are unaware that during the same period, large amounts of katagami had also made their way across the sea. Countless pieces of katagami were exported to mostly European countries during the transition between the Edo and Meiji Periods.

■Exhibit Details

・Katagami in Japan

・Katagami in America and the United Kingdom

・Katagami in France

・Katagami in German-Speaking Countries

・Katagami Design Today

 

There will be a katagami demonstration every Saturday, Sunday and national holiday while the exhibit is on display, excluding Sept 1 and Sept 2. (On Sept 1 and 2, there will be an Edo-style crest dying demonstration)