Japanese craft box kabazaiku (cherry bark)

Elegant pen box (or other treasures) made of black-dyed paulownia wood with exposed veins, decorated with a pattern made by cutting and inlaying pieces of wild cherry bark (yamasakura). This craft technique, kabazaiku, is unique to the beautiful city of Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture. This box was made by the craftsmen of Tomioka and comes with a protective cardboard box.

Kakunodate cherry bark craftsmanship (樺細工, kabazaiku), which originated in the 18th century in Akita Prefecture, is a rare skill that involves transforming wild cherry bark into elegant objects such as tea caddies and writing cases. The technique, which requires precise cutting and careful smoothing to preserve the bark’s natural nuances and unique texture, showcases organic patterns, with each piece becoming a tribute to the cherry tree as a symbol of fleeting beauty and resilience.