http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34838219

This is a vintage mold called "kashigata".

Often made of sakura (cherry wood) and seasoned for about 3 years before carving, kashigata were used to make dried confectionery made of rice flour and sugar called rakugan. Earliest records show that this practice dates back to the mid-17th century. These confections were used as offerings and snacks for celebratory occasions and even unfortunate events. For example when a person died, it was expensive to give flowers or fresh food so, people made these sweets 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.

Kashigata were also used in the making of wagashi (nama-gashi or freshly made cake and hi-gashi or dried confectionery) for tea ceremonies.

Common kashigata motifs in the Edo era - chrysanthemums, plum blossoms
Meiji Era - spread of western technology - balloons, planes
World War II - national pride heightened - cherry blossoms, battleships - used as gifts for departing troops, ceremonies and commemorative occasions

With the advent of refrigeration, fresh fish replaced rakugan motifs like the sea bream. Sadly today, making offerings for fortunate and unfortunate events is no longer a common practice. This in turn has lessened rakugan demand although they are still found in tea ceremonies and homes. The decrease in kashigata artisans today has made kashigata carving a dying craft making kashigata itself a sought-after collectible.

*You can use this mold as food mold to cook. Please clean thoroughly before using.

It measures 23.5 cm long x 9.8 cm wide x 3.8 cm tall. Inside it measures 17.3 cm long x 5.8 cm wide.

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Our Etsy Stores:

Supplies- FromJapanWithLove.etsy.com
Deco Sweet Supplies- DecoSweets.etsy.com
Handmade- SouZouCreations.etsy.com
Vintage- VintageFromJapan.etsy.com
Fabric- FabricFromJapan.etsy.com

We will combine shipping if you buy from any of our stores.

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This is a vintage mold called "kashigata".

Often made of sakura (cherry wood) and seasoned for about 3 years before carving, kashigata were used to make dried confectionery made of rice flour and sugar called rakugan. Earliest records show that this practice dates back to the mid-17th century. These confections were used as offerings and snacks for celebratory occasions and even unfortunate events. For example when a person died, it was expensive to give flowers or fresh food so, people made these sweets 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.

Kashigata were also used in the making of wagashi (nama-gashi or freshly made cake and hi-gashi or dried confectionery) for tea ceremonies.

Common kashigata motifs in the Edo era - chrysanthemums, plum blossoms
Meiji Era - spread of western technology - balloons, planes
World War II - national pride heightened - cherry blossoms, battleships - used as gifts for departing troops, ceremonies and commemorative occasions

With the advent of refrigeration, fresh fish replaced rakugan motifs like the sea bream. Sadly today, making offerings for fortunate and unfortunate events is no longer a common practice. This in turn has lessened rakugan demand although they are still found in tea ceremonies and homes. The decrease in kashigata artisans today has made kashigata carving a dying craft making kashigata itself a sought-after collectible.

*You can use this mold as food mold to cook. Please clean thoroughly before using.

It measures 18 cm long x 10.5 cm wide x 3.8 cm tall. Inside it measures 12 cm long x 7.8 cm wide.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34196793

**********************************************************
Our Etsy Stores:

Supplies- FromJapanWithLove.etsy.com
Deco Sweet Supplies- DecoSweets.etsy.com
Handmade- SouZouCreations.etsy.com
Vintage- VintageFromJapan.etsy.com

We will combine shipping if you buy from any of our stores.

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TheKawaiiKitchen offers you cute cooking / kitchen appliances like bento box, bento accessories, cookie cutter, egg shaper, onigiri rice ball mold, sushi mold

*********************** CHRISTMAS SHOPPING LAUNCH SALE ************************

From Sunday November 1st until Sunday November 8th we are having a 10% off sale (including shipping) in the following shops:

FromJapanWithLove.etsy.com
TheKawaiiKitchen.etsy.com
SouZouCreations.etsy.com

We will combine the orders if you order from any of these shops. Order and pay like you normally would and we will refund you 10% of your total cost.

Please note that our normal combined shipping discounts do NOT apply during this sale. All orders must be paid for by November 8th to qualify for the refund.

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This is a very cute bento box. It is perfect for taking a side dish or snack or dessert! There is a cute smiling car saying "who will win today?".

This is good for extra bento food, fruits and etc.

It is a one layer bento box and holds 320 ml or about 10.5 oz.

I would wash by hand. Do NOT use in the microwave.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31912423

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This is a vintage mold called "kashigata".

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 are for decoration only.

*You can use this mold as food mold to cook. Please clean thoroughly before using.

Please note: there have been numbers in both Kanji (Chinese characters) as well as numerals burned into the wood. On the front of this one the Kanji reads "189" while the number 10 is everywhere. We have no idea why but it sure adds character to it!

It measures 13.5 cm long x 7 cm wide x 3.2 cm tall.Inside it measures 10 cm long x 5.5 cm wide.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32655767

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