Customer Reviews

Traditional Japanese Stencil Designs

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a previous reviewer has noted, Clarence Hornung's "Traditional Japanese Stencil Designs" is not the book to purchase if you are seeking inspiration for tattoos. It is, however, of exceptional value if your interests include Japanese aesthetics in general and textile motifs in particular or if you are seeking sophisticated patterns that can be manipulated and reproduced as graphic designs.

The stencils included were originally designed for monochromatic printing on cotton textiles but are also typical of the patterns imprinted on deer-skin goods and traditional Japanese wrapping papers. More than any other volume in Dover's generously-sized library of books on Japanese design, Hornung's testifies to the Japanese genius for manipulating a few design elements into subtle and classically beautiful patterns. Some of the patterns are abstract and without specific meaning, but the overwhelming majority are rich in symbolism. Hornung's introduction discusses the most important of these symbolic meanings. However, the usefulness of the introduction is compromised by his failure to number the stencils and then identify for the reader precisely which plates represent each thematic motif.

Unlike the first reviewer who gave this book 1 star, this is actually an excellent book showing designs taken from one of the many complex arts and crafts traditions of Japan. These are actual designs from stencils, which were carefully cut from mulberry paper and used for printing designs on cloth.The stencils are called katagami. Some of these are still being made, and by the fine traditional craftsmen of Japan working with simple, traditional tools to produce amazing patterns. The first reviewer has not bothered to look carefully into Japanese art forms, and so is, I believe speaking from ignorance. Not a book for tatoo designs, granted, but I think most people who would like design references from a somewhat obscure Japanese art tradition would find this book of interest. If you'd like more detail on the art tradition of stencil cutting or carving, you might want to look at
"Carved Paper: The Art of the Japanese Stencil." You can also see an example with some explanations here: http://www.sohe.wisc.edu/depts/hlatc/pixelsexhibit/katagami.html
Although these stencils were/are made for the purpose of dyeing cloth, they can be considered artforms in their own right. (I own a couple of these.) The Dover book is a nice reference.

If you are looking for stencils to utilize immediately, this book is not a good choice. Its more like a sourcebook than images in 'Look Inside' appear. There aren't any useable stencils in the book and the intricate detail would require many, many hours of stencil cutting with a regular stencil cutter. I'm going to invest in a Cri-cut type of electric cutter - now that I have this book. As you might have caught on by those words, this book either leads to an investment of time or a cutting machine. Needless to say, my Goodwill purchased armoire is still unpainted.

The designs and images in the book are inspirational, though, and quite lovely; but honestly there are sourcebook with Japanese designs that offer more choices and more variety. If the book had been labeled a sourcebook, I wouldn't have bought it and since it was titled as stencils, I was disappointed. Not a best choice for a home painting project, definately not.

This book is about as fine as I had hoped. It's not very long, but the prints are very nice. I already made logical use out of it the first week I had it.

I am soooo glad I got this book. The designs are superb, and can be used in a zillion ways for design, fine art, etc. Just the inspiration I was looking for, and more. Good flow to the designs in terms of pattern, light and dark, and variety. Good for graphic design basis and logo thinking, too, but I will use it in my paintings and sculpture textures.

All you need to embelish or add to any original art, pottery or clothing stencil.

If you are at all trying to find sources for Japanese art, this is NOT the place to do it! Not only are the designs in the book non-Japanese they are worthless if you are using them for illustration or any reference to draw from. If you are looking for a source book for tattooing like I was, this is not it. To say this book was weak is a compliment. The biggest waste of money I've spent in a long time!