掻敷かいしき

noun

leaf or paper placed under a serving dish

A traditional Japanese practice of placing a decorative leaf, branch, or paper under food or offerings for aesthetic and sanitary purposes. Often used in kaiseki cuisine or Shinto rituals.

• 懐かい石せき料りょう理りでは、料りょう理りの下したに掻敷かいしきとして紅葉もみじが敷しかれていた。

  In kaiseki cuisine, autumn leaves were placed under the dishes as kaishiki.

• 神しん饌せんには必かならず掻敷かいしきが用もちいられる。

  Kaishiki are always used for Shinto offerings.