Japanese Yukata Jinbei Asanoha Navy blue Tile

A traditional Japanese herb leaves stencil pattern in traditional Japanese colours. "Navy blue" or bellflower colour. The Asanoha are in a hexagonal shape, and that is the reason why this pattern is called as such. Popular during the Edo period and still in demand today. This kind of oriental pattern is often used on fabric for yukata or a jinbei, traditional Japanese clothes for in the hot summer months. But I have seen the pattern also used as part of a kimono. When you think of this type of fabric, resist dyeing comes to mind. In Japan vintage techniques are roketsuzome with wax, katazome, yuzen and tsutsgaki with rice paste. A favourite method of applying paste is by means of a stencil.