Message Card - Tanabata

This message card was hand-printed by skilled craftspeople using woodblocks. This method of printing was adopted in Japan during the Edo-period (1603-1868 CE) for printing books and creating decorations, produced on both paper and canvas. To create these cards, reliefs of an original design are carved by hand into wooden blocks, with one block for each colour involved.

This card features shooting stars falling over bamboo grass, leaves symbolising one of the traditions of the Tanabata festival in Japan, when people write their wishes on strips of paper called tanazaku, and hang them on bamboo branches.