This whimsical hand-painted drawing is an original hinagata (kimono design template) from Japan, dating to the Meiji period (1868–1912). Rendered on traditional washi paper in Shizuoka prefecture, this piece functioned as a vital visual bridge between the artist and the silk dyers who executed the final garment. Measuring 10 inches by 15 inches (25 cm x 38 cm), the artwork is in very good condition and demonstrates the spirited, expressive brushwork typical of the late 19th-century Kyōsai school.

The composition centers on a charming interaction between a large, stylized white elephant and a young boy, possibly representing a deity or a figure from Buddhist folklore. The elephant is depicted with exaggerated, rhythmic folds and a gentle expression, its form anchored by thick, calligraphic ink outlines. Small sparrows flit around the scene, some resting on the elephant’s back, adding a sense of lively movement. Beside the elephant, the boy sits peacefully under a sparse tree, his robes detailed with blue and red pigments and a traditional floral pattern. The scene is grounded by soft grey washes suggesting a dusty path, while the untouched washi paper provides a sense of atmospheric light and space.

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