Kashigata are hand-carved wooden molds used to press wagashi, Japanese confections traditionally served at tea ceremonies and seasonal celebrations. The lotus seed pod is a recurring motif in Japanese design, and this set of six brings together six individually carved variations of it, each with the distinctive almond-shaped outline and radiating grid of seed impressions.
The set comes from a working lot cleared from a confectionery shop in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Five pieces are single-cavity molds and one is a long board carved with three cavities in a row. Sizes vary piece to piece, and the grain and tone of the wood differ slightly across the set, a natural result of decades of individual use. Please refer to the photos for the full range of forms and carving detail.
| Dimensions | Longest piece up to 304mm (12.0in), widest up to 108mm (4.3in), thickest up to 45mm (1.8in) — these are the largest values along each axis across the set of 6, not necessarily from a single piece. |
| Material | Wood (species unconfirmed, consistent with cherry or similar hardwood typical of kashigata molds) |
| Condition | Good vintage condition. Light surface wear consistent with age and genuine use. No cracks or major damage observed. |
| Origin | Acquired in Japan |