Gift Card KATAGAMI Style [Engasane]

This is a set of 10 Engasane cards.

Each card is carefully printed one by one on a Heidelberg T-platen printing press made in West Germany. The press itself speaks to a dedication to quality and traditional methods. The designs are delightful, featuring seasonal flowers, geometric patterns, and more. The colors are a beautiful blend of pastel tones with a touch of black ink, creating subtle and gentle shades reminiscent of traditional Japanese colors.

Because these are letterpress printed, the patterns have a wonderful three-dimensional quality, almost as if they are engraved into the paper. This gives the cards a uniquely pleasant texture.

About Ise Katagami

Ise Katagami are stencils used for Katazome, a traditional Japanese dyeing technique for Kimonos. These stencils are meticulously hand-carved with an incredible variety of intricate and beautiful designs. For centuries, most Ise Katagami have been produced in Shiroko-cho (Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture), a town facing Ise Bay.

In the late 19th century, Ise Katagami were introduced to the West, where they captivated artists and significantly influenced art movements like Art Nouveau.

Bringing the Tradition to Life

These cards stay true to the origins of Ise Katagami. To preserve the feel of the hand-carved stencils, a graphic designer carefully selected and combined the patterns and colors to create cards with a "warm" and inviting quality.

Enjoy the "warm texture" that comes from this hands-on process, something you won't find in modern automated printing.

Ways to Use the Cards

• Send them as seasonal greetings to close friends and family.
• Include them as a special touch with a gift.
• Display them in a photo case or frame to add a touch of art to your home.

The Meaning of the Patterns

[縁重ね Engasane (Overlapped circles)]
The motif of circles (円, "en"), representing connections (ご縁, "go-en") that multiply and expand endlessly, is an auspicious pattern that expresses a prayer for eternal prosperity. It symbolizes "harmony" and "prosperity of descendants," wishing for wealth and happiness.