This mid-19th century hitoe represents a remarkable anticipation of Op Art aesthetics, created nearly a century before the movement would be formally recognized in Western art. The composition consists of large-scale circular vortexes that create powerful optical illusions through the systematic manipulation of checkerboard patterns.

Each circular motif functions as an independent study in perceptual psychology. The alternating black and cream checkerboard squares gradually diminish in size as they spiral toward each center point, creating the illusion of infinite depth and rotational movement. This mathematical precision in the pattern construction demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how the human eye processes visual information - the high contrast and systematic scale reduction trigger the optical phenomena that make these static patterns appear to pulse and rotate.

The artistic brilliance lies in the overall composition's rhythm and balance. Rather than creating visual chaos, the scattered arrangement of these hypnotic circles across the dark ground creates a mesmerizing field that invites contemplation. The varying scales of the vortexes - some large and dominant, others smaller and more intimate - establish a complex visual hierarchy that prevents monotony while maintaining the overall optical impact.

From a technical perspective, achieving this level of geometric precision through hand-stenciling on loosely-woven, hand-spun fabric represents extraordinary craftsmanship. Each checkerboard square maintains crisp edges and consistent proportions despite the irregular texture of the ground fabric, demonstrating the skill of Edo period artisans.

This piece stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of Japanese textile design, where traditional stenciling techniques were pushed to create avant-garde visual experiences. It anticipates not only Op Art but also contemporary digital aesthetics, proving that revolutionary artistic concepts often emerge from the intersection of technical mastery and creative vision, regardless of historical period.

Spanning approximately 48 inches (122 cm) from sleeve-end to sleeve-end, this hitoe stands at a height of about 52 inches (132 cm).