Oshi-e

​Hand stitched quilting, watercolour

There are two little figures laying on a piece of hand painted wallpaper in one of the display cases in the exhibition hall.

I had never seen any like them and had no idea what they were until Conservator Gaye Dopson informed me they are Japanese Oshe-e. Traditionally they were made using left over offcuts from kimono.

Although in poor condition they are charming. 

To me they look like a couple at the beginning of a relationship. I keep thinking about them exploring the wallpaper garden, hiding, playing chase, then wanting to escape the confines of the glass case and explore further, perhaps in the grounds of the castle?