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Stencil with Bats on a Lattice

19th century
Not on view
The auspiciousness of bats in China is based on wordplay in the Chinese language, which did not carry over to Japan. Nonetheless, bats are found in occasional Japanese contexts, such as the informal crest of the Ichikawa Danjûrô line of Kabuki actors. The bold pattern of this stencil features two freewheeling bats whose eccentric movements are accentuated by the rigid lattice behind them.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Stencil with Bats on a Lattice
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Paper
  • Dimensions: 16 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (41.3 x 26.7 cm)
  • Classification: Stencils
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Mrs. Helen M. Meserve Gift, 1981
  • Object Number: 1981.10.28
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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