Nara (Japanese oak) bowl by Masahito Ikeda

This bowl, made from nara (Japanese oak) by Masahito Ikeda, captivates with its organic form and the depth of its dark brown hue. The wood, chosen for the beauty of its grain, reveals a vibrant texture where the tree's history appears, preserved like traces of time. The artisan has retained certain natural irregularities and its veins, revealing the uniqueness of the piece. Both utilitarian and expressive, it finds its place in a contemporary interior, like an object shaped in continuity with nature.

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 carpentry course in Matsubara, Ōsaka. He founded his brand, Thursday Furniture, in 2015 in Nishinomiya (Hyōgo Prefecture) and established his workshop in Toyonaka (Ōsaka Prefecture) in 2017. His work focuses on solid wood 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

This bowl is crafted from nara (Japanese oak), a dense and resilient wood prized for its strength and rich grain. The dark brown hue was achieved using tetsu-baizen (iron mordant), an ancient technique involving the application of an iron solution that reacts with the wood's tannins. This reaction creates a deep, warm-toned coloration and naturally protects the surface. Beneath this patina, the nara's grain remains visible, lending a subtle movement to the surface and highlighting the rigor of the manual work.

Practical information

Location
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Diameter 17.5 cm - Height 7 cm

Weight
147 gr

Materials
Nara (Japanese oak) with tetsu-baizen finish (iron mordant)

Period
Contemporary

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