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Dragons

Cooper Hewitt

This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
International media Interoperability Framework
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    Object Details

    Catalogue Status

    Research in Progress

    Description

    Japanese dragons (ryu) originate from Chinese dragons and represent a wingless serpent with three-clawed feet. Each part of the body is a composite of nine different animals: Horns – Deer, Head – Camel, Eyes – Rabbit, Neck – Snake, Abdomen – Cockle, Scales – Carp, Claws – Eagle, Paws – Tiger, and Ears – Ox. Depictions of dragons are symbols of strength, courage, and magic. These five dragons are shown flying in the sky. Silk threads are added to support the stencil structure.

    Date

    mid 18th - early 19th century

    Accession Number

    1968-117-398

    Restrictions & Rights

    CC0

    Type

    textile designs

    Object Name

    Katagami

    Type

    Katagami

    Medium

    Mulberry paper (kozo washi) treated with fermented persimmon tannin (kakishibu), and silk threads (itoire)

    Dimensions

    H x W: 44.5 × 80 cm (17 1/2 × 31 1/2 in.)
    Image: 38.1 × 71.1 cm (15 × 28 in.)

    made in

    Japan

    See more items in

    Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Collection
    Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design Department

    Data Source

    Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kq40540fe34-5880-472e-8c23-960a5919288b

    Record ID

    chndm_1968-117-398

    Discover More

    Year of the Dragon postage stamp

    2024: Year of the Dragon

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