Book of Kosode Patterns (Hiinagata Ise no umi) - Enoki Shinuemon Hironobu

A 1688 woodblock print from a Japanese pattern book, featuring two distinct kosode textile designs inspired by water and seasonal flora.

This woodblock print originates from the 'Hiinagata Ise no umi', a pattern book published in 1688. These volumes functioned as catalogues for the burgeoning fashion industry in Edo-period Japan. They provided tailors and customers with visual references for kosode, the precursor to the modern kimono. The designs presented here demonstrate the sophisticated aesthetic preferences of the late seventeenth century, focusing on natural motifs arranged within the silhouette of the garment.

The left panel displays a flowing water motif, punctuated by scattered maple leaves. The lines are precise and rhythmic, suggesting the movement of a stream. The right panel features a botanical arrangement, likely depicting adonis flowers, distributed across the fabric space. These patterns reflect the Japanese appreciation for seasonal imagery, a common theme in textile arts of the era. The artist, Enoki Shinuemon Hironobu, utilised the woodblock medium to ensure these designs could be reproduced and circulated among the merchant class, who were the primary consumers of such fashion guides.

Each page is framed by a simple border, containing the garment shape within a rectangular field. The text included within the frames provides specific details regarding the pattern or the intended style. The composition is deliberately flat, prioritising the clarity of the design for the artisan who would eventually translate these ink drawings into embroidered or dyed silk. This print offers a glimpse into the commercialisation of art during the Genroku era, where the demand for fashionable clothing drove innovation in both printmaking and textile production. The work remains a primary source for understanding the intersection of graphic design and garment construction in early modern Japan.