Order Book of Kosode Patterns - Imura Katsukichi

A detailed woodblock print from 1787 depicting the commercial process of selecting kosode patterns within an Edo-period merchant shop.

This woodblock print originates from the Chūmon no hiinagata, a catalogue of garment designs produced in 1787. Imura Katsukichi created this work to document the commercial practices surrounding the production of kosode, the precursor to the modern kimono. The image provides a rare glimpse into the social and economic environment of an Edo-period textile merchant's shop.

The composition is split across two pages, typical of the format for such pattern books. On the left, a group of women are gathered on tatami mats, examining various textile designs and discussing potential orders. Their posture and the presence of open books suggest a collaborative selection process. On the right, the scene shifts to the merchant's interaction with a client. A man displays a length of fabric, while another figure sits nearby, perhaps overseeing the transaction or managing the inventory stored in the wooden chest. A small dog rests in the foreground, adding a domestic touch to the professional setting.

The line work is precise and functional, characteristic of the ukiyo-e style used for instructional or commercial publications. The artist employs a bird's-eye perspective to organise the figures within the architectural space of the shop. The sliding doors and exterior views provide context, grounding the scene in a specific architectural tradition. This print functions as both a record of fashion and a depiction of the mercantile culture that supported the textile industry in eighteenth-century Japan. It captures the intersection of artistic design and daily commerce, offering a view into the lives of those who participated in the creation and purchase of high-quality garments during this period.