Folding Fans

Pictures by The stencil cutters of Japan

Open folding fans scattered with chrysanthemums and waves fill this red Japanese katagami stencil from the 1800s, once cut by hand for dyeing cloth. In Japan the folding fan is called suehiro, widening toward the end, a wish for a shared future that keeps growing. For a couple celebrating their years together.

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On the back

From the stencil cutters of Japan / Folding Fans / Katagami, a paper stencil for dyeing cloth, Japan, 1800s / A folding fan opens wide from a narrow point, so it is called suehiro, "widening toward the end": a wish for a future that keeps growing, and a classic wedding and celebration motif. / Printed in one colour, as on the dyed cloth.

A card for

• Anniversary