Japanese Shoe Maker's Patterns/Templates--Sold Individually drawing practice with this incredible smiling face

with this incredible smiling face

detailing the number of days in the school year (in 1901)

I think it's pretty fantastic

Surreal and perfectly matter of fact at the same time

Japanese Shoe Maker's Patterns/Templates--Sold Individually drawing practice with this incredible smiling faceWe l know that these were brought back from Japan many years ago, retrieved from the archive of a shoemakers workshop long since closed. I don't know enough about shoe or boot, I presume construction to read these, but believe the quilt like collaging of silver and gold paper and blue and white fabric marks pieces to be cut and seams to be sewn. I find them just exceptionally beautiful found objects very Japanese and also very contemporary feeling. I