[VILLAGE Report vol.45] Making vessels with cherry bark | Akita Prefecture

Akita Prefecture's nationally designated items are Kabazaiku cherry bark craft, Kawatsura lacquerware, Odate magewappa bentwood ware, Akita cedar tubs and barrels these four items. All four are work with wood or bark.

“Kaba” means cherry

The “kaba” in Kabazaiku refers not to birch, but to the bark of the wild cherry tree. This bark is peeled thinly, polished, and attached to a wooden base.

Cherry bark develops a deep luster the more it is polished. And it does not let moisture pass through easily. This is why it is suited to tea canisters.

Only the bark is peeled without cutting down the tree, and the tree is left alive. The bark regenerates over the years.

It began in the late 18th century. The northern Satake family of Kakunodate spread it as side work for lower-ranking samurai according to estimates.

In the previous issue on Yamagata (vol.43), I wrote about Tendo shogi pieces beginning as side work for samurai. Small domains in Tohoku endured by having samurai do handwork.

Bending Akita cedar

Odate magewappa bentwood ware is made by boiling straight-grained Akita cedar boards to soften them, then bending them into a circle.

And what is used to stitch the seam closed is wild cherry bark in total.

Kabazaiku and magewappa are connected by the same material. It is the same structure as Tokushima indigo (vol.15), which gave rise to three crafts.

Cedar is light, fragrant, and absorbs excess moisture. That is why rice is less likely to harden even after it cools. This is why it has been used as a lunch box.

Tubs and barrels are different things

Akita cedar tubs and barrels are large containers made by arranging cedar boards, hoops used to tighten it from the outside to make a large container. Bamboo or metal is used for the hoops.

A tub is open at the top and has handles; a barrel can be closed with a lid. Sake, miso, soy sauce, pickles—these tools have supported fermentation.

Akita cedar has straight grain, and its aromatic components are said to resist mold. It is no coincidence that it has been chosen for containers for fermented foods.

Lacquerware is for everyday life

Kawatsura lacquerware is lacquerware from the Kawatsura district of Yuzawa City.

Its defining feature is It uses a thick base and repeated coatings so it can be used again and again approach. It shares the same idea as Wajima-nuri in Ishikawa (vol.31), but Kawatsura developed in the direction of being more affordable and for everyday use.

It is on the same side as Kishu lacquerware in Wakayama (vol.18). Lacquerware survives in both lines: luxury goods and everyday goods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do Kabazaiku tea canisters need care?
A. Basically, you only need to wipe them with a dry cloth. Avoid washing with water, soaking, and direct sunlight. As you use them, the natural oils from your hands settle in and the luster increases.

Next issue, we go to Aomori. It is a story of just 1 item, but dozens of steps.

References: Akita Prefecture, Kakunodate in Semboku City, Odate City, Yuzawa City, Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries

—The Value Village Editorial Team

Photo: Kayopos / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)