Sakura Bark Tea Scoop Hyotan

This tea scoop was made using kabazaiku, a craft which originated from the samurai class in Kakunodate Town, Akita Prefecture over 200 years ago. Kabazaiku involves creating containers and accessories using the bark of cherry trees which are carefully selected from neighbouring regions. The bark is harvested during the rainier months of the year, mainly during August and September, and has to come from cherry trees which are at least 70 years old, as younger ones are not durable enough to be used for kabazaiku. The high moisture content of the trees during this period allows the craftspeople to easily peel away the bark, which is then dried for at least two years before being used. In order for the craft to remain sustainable, only one third of the trees’ bark is peeled off (allowing it to grow back over time).

To create the scoop, the dried bark is scraped and shaved to produce thin, smooth layers which are warped and attached to a gourd-shaped wooden mould using adhesives made from gelatin. Once attached, an iron trowel heated to a high temperature is used to steam away any wrinkles and curling, tightly fitting the bark to the mould. This step of the process requires a high-level of expertise and many years of experience to master in order to get the trowel to a temperature which will not burn the wood. The same step is repeated for both sides of the scoop. As a final step, the surface of the scoop is polished once again to increase its sheen and accentuate the colour of the cherry bark. The colour of the bark changes with the level of polishing. The dark amber coloured scoops have the thinnest most polished bark. Grey coloured barks can only be used when they possess a naturally fine quality that allows them to be used without much polishing required.

Avoid direct sunlight.
Avoid storing in damp conditions for prolonged periods.
Do not wipe with a wet cloth.
Wipe in the direction of the grain with a dry cloth to maintain lustre.
Not microwave, oven or dishwasher safe.

Size: W8.6 x D4 x H0.7 cm

Tōhoku

Tōhoku consists of six prefectures located in the north-east of Honshu island. This region is known for its hot spring (onsen) resorts, colourful festivals, remote sacred mountains and harsh winters. In 2011, the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the region hard; however, the massive efforts in reconstruction are proof of the people’s resilience. Urushi (lacquer) ware, ironware and the crafting of kokeshi dolls make up but a few of the local industries in this lesser-visited region of Japan.