Birds and Flowers in Japanese Textile DesignsPart I [1]Art ReviewMarie-Therese Wisniowski

Preamble
For your convenience, I have listed below other post on Japanese textiles on this blogspot.
Discharge Thundercloud
The Basic Kimono Pattern
The Kimono and Japanese Textile Designs
Traditional Japanese Arabesque Patterns - Part I
Textile Dyeing Patterns of Japan
Traditional Japanese Arabesque Patterns - Part II
Sarasa Arabesque Patterns
Contemporary Japanese Textile Creations
Shibori (Tie-Dying)
History of the Kimono
A Textile Tour of Japan - Part I
A Textile Tour of Japan - Part II
The History of the Obi
Japanese Embroidery (Shishu)
Japanese Dyed Textiles
Aizome (Japanese Indigo Dyeing)
Stencil-Dyed Indigo Arabesque Patterns
Japanese Paintings on Silk
Tsutsugaki - Freehand Paste-Resist Dyeing
Street Play in Tokyo
Birds and Flowers in Japanese Textile Designs
Japanese Colors and Inks on Paper From the Idemitsu Collection
Yuzen: Multicolored Past-Resist Dyeing - Part I
Yuzen: Multi-colored Paste-Resist Dyeing - Part II
Katazome (Stencil Dyeing) - Part I
Katazome (Stencil Dyeing) - Part II
Katazome (Stencil Dyeing) - Part III
Birds and Flowers in Japanese Textile Design - Part I

Introduction
The Japanese appreciation of nature is reflected in its long history and tradition of textile design. Expressions of nature in textile motifs and patterns, are in fact, fundamental to the Japanese concept of design.

The use of a black background in Japanese textile design with bird motifs serves both aesthetic and symbolic purposes, including creating high contrast, signifying elegance and formality, and reflecting philosophical insights.

Aesthetic Reasons
(i) High Contrast: A deep, rich black background (known as kuro) makes the detailed, often colorful, bird motifs "pop out" to the viewer, ensuring they are the focal point of the design.
(ii) Focus on Detail: The stark contrast forces the viewer's eye to concentrate on the intricate patterns, feather textures, and delicate lines of the birds and surrounding elements (like plants or water ripples), highlighting the artist's craftsmanship.
(iii) Depth and Vitality: While the background may be dark and seemingly empty, the vibrant subjects evoke a strong sense of life and vitality against the dark expanse, giving the scene depth and dynamism.

Symbolic and Cultural Reasons
(i) Formality and Elegance. Black is highly regarded as a color of formality, sophistication, and elegance in Japanese culture, used for important ceremonial robes like the kurotomesode kimono worn at formal events. A black background bestows a sense of dignity and prestige upon the textile.
(ii) Authority and Power. Historically, black was associated with the samurai class and represented authority, strength, and a commanding presence.
(iii) Philosophical and Poetic Meaning. In Japanese art forms like calligraphy and ink painting (sumi-e), black ink is used to express strong emotions and philosophical insights through simplicity and contrast. This aesthetic carries over to textiles.
(iv) Association with the Unknown/Mystery. While having positive associations, black can also represent mystery, the unknown, and the transient nature of life, which can add a layer of poetic depth to the natural imagery.

Birds and Flowers in Japanese Textile Designs - Part I [1]

Reference:
[1] Mamoru Fujioka, The Best in International Textile Design, Japanese Style, Textile Dyeing Patterns 4, Kyoto Shoin (1989).