This was an amazing find. This is from the Taishou Period which was from 1912-1926. This is called "型紙" or "katagami". This is a stencil that was used to make "kashigata" (for more information on "kashigata please see below). Apparently, these (we have around 100 to list) were found in an old Japanese sweets store in Kyoto.
This is the image of cluster amaryllis...People know the flower is in boom when it is in autumnal equinoctial week.
This one is made from paper-but not flimsy normal paper....this is wonderful thick Japanese paper and it is in fabulous condition even though it is at least 83 years old. One side of this paper you can see faint Japanese writing as if the artisan took a sheet of "scrap" paper to use to make this stencil. Very unique!!
This stencil could be used but it would also be fabulous framed and hung on a wall.
This stencil measures 17 x 8 cm.
More information on "kashigata" (the sweets made from the molds that were made using the stencils).
In the past, when a person died, it was expensive to give flowers or fresh food so, people made sweets (these are made from soy flour, rice flour and sugar) in the form of flowers, fish etc. These items were then placed on the "butsudan" (family shrine found in the house) for the dead person.
The sweets was also used for holiday celebrations, tea ceremony etc. These are for decoration only-they are never eaten.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28182372
********************************************************** Our Etsy Stores:
Supplies- http://FromJapanWithLove.etsy.com
Deco Sweet Supplies- http://DecoSweets.etsy.com
Handmade- http://SouZouCreations.etsy.com
Vintage- http://VintageFromJapan.etsy.com
Fabric- http://FabricFromJapan.etsy.com
We will combine shipping if you buy from any of our stores.
Posted via web from fromjapanwithlove's posterous
