Cranes

Pictures by The stencil cutters of Japan

Cranes fly wing over wing in deep red, taken from a Japanese katagami, a paper stencil cut by hand in the 1800s for dyeing cloth. In Japan the crane is the emblem of long life, said to live a thousand years, which makes it a fine wish for many more birthdays. For someone whose years you want to celebrate.

Add four of your own photos and your own words; we print the card in the US and post it for you.

On the back

From the stencil cutters of Japan / CRANES / Katagami, a paper stencil for dyeing cloth, Japan, 1800s / Cranes are Japan's emblem of long life: the crane, people said, lives a thousand years. Here they fly wing over wing, cut by hand into a paper stencil for dyeing cloth. / Printed in one colour, as on the dyed cloth.

A card for

• Birthday