Wooden Carved Accessory Tray

Carved wooden trays have a long-standing tradition in Ainu heritage craft.

Nibutani-ita, a flat wooden tray, is a time-honoured craft item whose production techniques have been passed down through the generations in the region around the Saru River basin in southern Hokkaido. These trays are known for their distinctive spiral patterns (known as moreunoka) and intricately carved ramuramunoka (fish-scale patterns), which are typical Ainu motifs.

This rectangular accessory tray is produced at the Biratori Ainu Crafts and Heritage Center, also known as Urespa (ウレㇱパ, the Ainu word for ‘each other’). The centre opened in Nibutani, Hokkaido, in April 2019 to promote Ainu heritage crafts to visitors from both Japan and overseas.

If the product becomes dry, please apply a drying oil like linseed oil periodically. When using olive oil or similar oils, it can tend to become sticky, so please apply a small amount and thoroughly wipe it off before use.

Individual pieces vary in colour and size as each piece is handmade.

Size: Length 22cm x Width 9cm x Depth 1.6cm

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.