Sakura (Japanese cherry blossom) bowl by Masahito Ikeda

This large bowl made of sakura (cherry wood) by Masahito Ikeda features a generous and balanced line, slightly tapered at the base. Its almost silky-soft surface reveals deep brown variations obtained through traditional iron and ash dyeing. The wood's circular grain highlights the natural movement of the material, while an old knot, traversed by fine cracks, forms an organic motif of great expressive power. Both sculptural and functional, this bowl finds its place on a table or in a contemplative space, like a silent and living presence.

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 course in carpentry 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 emphasizes solid wood and recycled wood, with attention to the marks of time and natural textures, and ranges from furniture to turned objects for the home.

Technique and decoration

This bowl is crafted from sakura (Japanese cherry wood), an essence intimately linked to Japanese culture, symbolizing renewal and ephemeral beauty. The wood, chosen for its fine grain and soft touch, has been expertly worked to maintain its balance despite the presence of a central knot. The latter, naturally cracked, has been integrated into the piece without concealment, as a compositional element. The deep hue is obtained by tetsu-baizen (iron mordant), an ancient process combining iron and ash, whose reaction with the cherry wood's tannins creates subtle nuances ranging from reddish brown to velvety black. Each grain line follows the movement of the bowl, giving the piece an almost pictorial dimension.

Practical information

Location
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Diameter 22.5 cm - Height 9.5 cm

Weight
368 gr

Materials
Sakura (cherry wood) tetsu-baizen finish (iron and ash 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.