Kaki plate (Japanese raku) with tetsuzome (iron mordant) finish by Masahito Ikeda

This kaki (plaqueminier) plate, created by Masahito Ikeda, is a unique piece where the beauty of the wood is revealed through its natural irregularities. Its circular shape, delicately hollowed out, seems to have been shaped around the cavities and openings of the material, preserved as traces of its history. The deep brown color obtained by a ferrous mordant highlights its contours and gives it an almost sculptural presence. Both a plate and a decorative object, it sensitively expresses the dialogue between the artisan's gesture and the nature of the wood.

The artisan
Masahito Ikeda, born in 1978 in Hyōgo and raised in Ōsaka, studied interior design at Seian Zōkei University and then completed a professional woodworking course in Matsubara, Ōsaka. He founded his brand, Thursday Furniture, in 2015 in Nishinomiya (Hyōgo Prefecture) and established his workshop in 2017 in Toyonaka (Ōsaka Prefecture). His work focuses on solid and reclaimed wood, with attention to the traces of time and natural textures, and ranges from furniture to turned objects for the home.

Technique and decoration
Kaki (plaqueminier) is a Japanese wood appreciated for its fine texture and natural color variations. Generally light, it can develop darker areas, sometimes almost black, which are particularly sought after in certain pieces of fine cabinetry. Masahito Ikeda worked with a piece of wood marked by numerous cavities, cracks, and irregularities, which he chose to preserve rather than erase. The plate is hollowed into a shallow bowl with irregular edges, whose through-openings reveal the full thickness of the material in places. The carefully worked surface retains a visually soft feel and subtle traces of shaping.

The tetsuzome finish is based on the application of a ferrous mordant: in contact with the tannins present in the wood, the iron causes a chemical reaction that naturally darkens the material. This coloration does not hide the grain, but reveals its nuances and differences in texture. Here, it produces a range of deep, slightly grayish browns that accentuate the cavities and irregular contours. The contrast between the softness of the form and the raw character of the wood gives this plate a particularly lively expression.

This plate is a decorative object in its own right, but can also find its place in tableware, particularly for serving a small Japanese pastry or a few sweets.

Place of manufacture
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Diameter 18 cm - Height 3 cm

Weight
72 gr

Materials
Kaki (plaqueminier wood), tetsuzome finish (ferrous mordant)

Period
Contemporary

Care instructions
Wipe after use with a soft, slightly damp cloth, avoid prolonged soaking, detergents, and direct heat. Do not put in the dishwasher, oven, or microwave.