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 one has the image of flowers and leaves - image is very traditional Japanese images.
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.
This stencil could be used but it would also be fabulous framed and hung on a wall.
This stencil measures 9cm x 11cm.
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.
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