Bloem- en graspatronen - deel twee 1907

"Bloem- en graspatronen - deel twee" (Floral and Grass Patterns - Part Two) was created by Furuya Kōrin, and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The book points to a fascinating moment in Japanese art history when artists were navigating the tensions between tradition, and a rapidly modernizing world. Born in Kyoto, Kōrin would have been deeply immersed in the artistic traditions of the region, yet he also lived through the Meiji Restoration, a period of immense social and cultural change, where Japan opened itself to Western influences. The book is likely a pattern book, a resource for artists and artisans. These books played a crucial role in disseminating design ideas and techniques. Kōrin's work reflects a sensitivity to both the natural world and the decorative arts. It also speaks to how art and design were intertwined with commerce and industry. Kōrin's work provides a lens through which to view the intersections of art, craft, and cultural identity during a transformative period in Japanese history.