This one comes from the Meiji-era, and the source wasn't something 'artistic' but completely 'commercial'. Back in that day, printing presses were arriving in Japan, but there was as yet no commonly available modern method for printing in multiple colours.

So if you were a company that manufactured kimono fabrics, what method was left to you for producing your catalogue of goods that you could send to local kimono shops all over the country, for their clients to browse? Traditional woodblock printing, of course!

What you see here is a 'clip' from a design intended for what must have been a very expensive kimono. The white circle in the fabric - which would have been positioned in the center of the upper back - was meant to be the place where the customer's circular family crest would appear. But I think it looks a lot better just blank!