A Carved Wooden Kashigata: Traditional Sweets Mold

ca. late nineteenth, early twentieth century
1" x 11 1/2" x 3 3/4", 2.5 cm x 29 cm x 9 cm 

This beautifully hand carved wooden object is a two-part mold which is used for traditional sweets called kashi.  It is said that these molds are carved from mountain cherry wood.

This particular one shows a very well-executed and well-detailed carved fish, probably a carp or koi.  By the worm holes in the wood and by the wood's deep brown patina we can assume that this is a kashigata of good age.  Also, the detachable top part of the mold, the worm- holed piece, is also a bit broken from decades of storage, and this testament to the passage of time enhances its beauty.

A really attractive object from old Japan and one with great character and presence.