Board for embossing paper (hangi)

This is a hand-carved wooden board used for embossing paper. This one features the "kiku" or chrysanthemum motif. This method is special to Shiroishi, and was developed by Chutaro Satō and creates 3D patterns on the paper. Satō did not carve all the boards himself. The technique used to make sheets using these boards is called takuhon, and these sheets are called takuhonshi or takushi. The name of the location where the motif orginated from, which tended to be in castle towns, castles, nobles homes, and tea rooms, is also carved here