Spalted Japanese chestnut (tochi) tray by Masahito Ikeda

This spalted tochi (Japanese chestnut) tray follows the proportions of obon (Japanese trays), which are notably intended to hold tea utensils or sweets. The exceptional beauty of this piece lies in the natural patterns that run through its light wood, forming an intertwining of dark lines with delicate contours, resembling ink drawings. This unique phenomenon, called spalting, transforms the material into an almost pictorial composition, where every detail is unique. The natural curve of one of its edges and the delicate finish of the surface highlight Masahito Ikeda's sensitivity to the spontaneous beauty of 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 wood and reclaimed wood, with an attention to the traces of time and natural textures, and ranges from furniture to turned objects for the home.

Technique and decoration
The tray is crafted from tochi (Japanese chestnut, Aesculus turbinata), a wood appreciated in Japanese craftsmanship for its light color, fine grain, and uniform texture. Its cream and slightly rosy beige shades provide a particularly remarkable background for the patterns of the spalted wood, called suporuteddo in Japanese.

Spalting is a natural phenomenon caused by the activity of certain fungi that grow in wood in the presence of moisture. These organisms produce pigments and delimit their territories with dark lines, called zone lines, formed notably by melanin-rich fungal structures. These sinuous lines are sometimes accompanied by color variations and form unpredictable patterns, impossible to reproduce identically, which are particularly sought after for their unique beauty.

On this tray, the brown-black lines draw true abstract landscapes, evoking ink drawings on Japanese paper. They unfold on an ivory background with soft shades, while one of the edges retains a natural curve that accentuates the organic character of the piece. Masahito Ikeda worked this tray with patience and talent to preserve all the richness of these spontaneous patterns, making it a unique piece where the beauty of the wood is fully expressed.

Place of manufacture
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Length 27.6 cm - Width 13.6 cm - Height 1.8 cm

Weight
113 gr

Materials
Spalted tochi (Japanese chestnut), suporuteddo

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.