Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Wood (26)

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) kanji characters "Daiou" (Great) motif; Japan, early 20th C. 2-piece Paddle-type mold to make 5 sweets. L.16.75"(42.5cm) x W.2.375"(6cm) x H.1"(2.5cm.) "Daiou" could be symbolic of any type of "greatness," but was most likely a reference to the country during the Japanese Imperial era. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia...

Woodblock Print of Traditional Japanese Folk Potteries by Serizawa Keisuke. Issued by Nihon Mingeikan (Japan Folk Craft Museum) in 1970. H. 20"(51cm) x W. 26"(66cm.) Excellent colors, light toning to paper. Printed text in English. See also SK-2 in Japanese. Keisuke Serizawa (5/13/1895 - 4/5/1984) was designated a Ningen Kokuho (National Living Treasure) in 1956 for his work in katazome stencil dyeing...

Woodblock Print of Traditional Japanese Folk Potteries by Serizawa Keisuke. Issued by Nihon Mingeikan (Japan Folk Craft Museum) in 1970. H. 20"(51cm) x W. 26"(66cm.) Excellent colors, light toning to paper. Printed text in Japanese. See also SK-1 in English. Keisuke Serizawa (5/13/1895 - 4/5/1984) was designated a Ningen Kokuho (National Living Treasure) in 1956 for his work in katazome stencil dyeing...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with a dynamic image of a minogame (mino = "straw rain cape," kame/game = "turtle/tortoise.") Early 20th C., Japan. L.13"(33cm) x W.5"(12.5cm) x H.1.125"(2.75cm,) 1 piece paddle type mold. Some minor insect damage to back of mold (see enlargements 4 & 5.) The tortoise is a symbol of long life in Japan, and in Asia in general...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Sensu (fan) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.9.375"(23.75cm) x W.4.125"(10.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) Condition Note: one of the posts connecting the top to bottom pieces is missing. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Hi No De Tsuru (Rising Sun Crane) motif. Japan, early 20th C. L.7.0"(18cm) x W.3.75"(9.5cm) x H.1.625"(4cm). The Crane symbolizes long life, as does the Tortoise, in many Asian cultures. In Japan, it was a popular traditional motif for celebratory events such as weddings, New Year's, and birth. This particular example shows the rising sun, a symbol of Japan, behind the crane...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Momiji (Japanese Maple) motif. Japan, early 20th C. L.8.125"(20.5cm) x W.3.0"(7.5cm) x H.1.75"(3.5cm.) This kashigata displays 2 Japanese maple leaves. As seasonality was often a concern in Japanese confectionery tradition, this image would have been a lovely inference to the autumn season...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Noshi Kombu (kelp wrapper) motif; Japan, early 20th C...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with image of Jou (old man from the Noh play "Takasago.") Early 20th C, Japan. L.7.75"(9.5cm) x W.3.375"(8.5cm) x H..75'(2cm). Bottom portion of mold only. The image of Jou, the old man raking leaves and the companion of Uba, is from the ancient Noh play "Takasago." Alone or accompanied by Uba, Jou is a symbol of a long married life and fidelity. Such sweets could have been used for marriages and New Years. This mold lacks the top cover to press the sweet, but the c...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Japanese Imperial Army Emblem, early 20th C. L.6.375"(16.25cm) x W.3.625"(9.25cm) x H.1.5"(4cm). This unique kashigata features an emblem of the Imperial Japanese Army; the Star over two crossed swords, with a hammer and chain. The overall outline shape is that is a war fan.This item shows how even nationalism came into the designs of Japanese sweets in the Imperial era at the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century. The back is stamped with the sweet...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Sakura (Cherry Blossom) motif; Japan, early 20th C. Paddle-type mold to make 2 pieces sweets. L.14.25"(36cm) x W.3.5"(8.75cm) x H. 0.75"(2cm.) The cherry blossom is a well-known symbol of spring, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life in Japanese culture. Most likely, these molds were used for sweets in the spring season. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Warabi (fiddlehead fern) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.5.875"(15cm) x W.3"(7.5cm) x H.1"(2.25cm.) Condition Note: No top cover, bottom piece only. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production. Materials such as wood, ceramic, glass, plastic,...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Matsu (pine) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.8.5"(21cm) x W.4.0"(10cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) The pine symbolizes "evergreen" and was a popular motif for celebratory occasions such as weddings and New Year's. It is one of the "Three Friends of Winter," which also includes plum and bamboo. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countri...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.6.625"(15.75cm) x W.3.5"(8.75cm) x H.1.375"(3.5cm.) The chrysanthemum is a symbol of late fall and was also a popular motif for celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold produc...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Shiitake Mushroom motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.5.25"(15cm) x W.3"(7.5cm) x H.1"(2.25cm.) Condition Note: Bottom piece only, no cover piece. The wrinkled cap of the mushroom symbolizes old age and long like. It was used for celebratory occasions that called for such symbolism. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries su...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Biwa (loquat fruit, Eriobotrya Japonica) motif, Japan, early 20th C. L.8.125"(20.5cm) x W.4.374"(11cm) x H.1.5"(4cm.) The image on this mold shows a bunch of loquat fruit, known as "biwa" in Japanese. Biwa are indegenous to SE China, and the Japanese name may refer to the oblong shape of mature fruit that resembles the shape of the musical instrument, lute (also "biwa" in Japanese.) In olden days, a type of cough medication was made from the syrup of the fruit. The...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Cherry Leaves motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.8.5"(21cm) x W.5.0"(12.75cm) x H.1.5"(4cm.) As a symbol of spring, the cherry is often depicted in blossoms. But in this case it is the leaves that are featured. There are actually sweets that are wrapped in cherry leaves. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germ...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kame (turtle) motif; Japan, early 20th C. Paddle-type mold to make 4 pieces sweets. L.13.75"(35cm) x W.2"(5cm) x H.1"(2.5cm.) The turtle symbolizes long life in many Asian cultures and was a popular motif for celebratory occasions such as weddings and New Year's. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany,...