Urihada kaede (melon-barked maple) tray by Masahito Ikeda

This urihada kaede (melon-barked maple) tray follows the proportions of obon (Japanese trays) intended, among other things, to hold tea utensils or sweets. Made from a Japanese wood whose name evokes the characteristic striations of its bark, it reveals a wood with soft and warm nuances, traversed by fine dark lines. Its delicately hand-sculpted surface creates a subtle play of reliefs that highlights the natural patterns of the material. A piece of great delicacy, where the simplicity of the form fully expresses the singular beauty 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 set up his workshop in 2017 in Toyonaka (Ōsaka Prefecture). His work favors solid wood and reclaimed wood, with an attention to the traces of time and natural textures, and extends from furniture to turned objects for the home.

The technique and decoration
The tray is crafted from urihada kaede (melon-barked maple, Acer rufinerve), a species of maple native to Japan. Its Japanese name, which literally means "melon-skinned maple," refers to the fine longitudinal striations of its greenish bark, whose appearance recalls that of certain Japanese melons. This tree, present in the archipelago's mountain forests, belongs to the group of striated-bark maples, appreciated for their silhouette and the characteristic patterns of their trunks. Its wood, light and finely grained, presents nuances of cream, rosy beige, and pale brown, sometimes traversed by darker variations.

On this tray, the inner surface reveals a delicate monochrome of beige and light brown, animated by fine dark lines that stretch lengthwise. These natural patterns, punctuated by small marks and variations in texture, evoke spontaneous ink drawings. The base is entirely worked by hand, with a succession of regular facets that create a discreet relief and gently catch the light. The four straight edges draw a rectangular shape with balanced proportions, whose simplicity highlights the richness of the nuances and the precision of the craftsmanship. Masahito Ikeda thus reveals the discreet beauty of this Japanese wood, preserving the natural peculiarities that give each piece its identity.

Place of manufacture
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Length 25.5 cm - Width 10 cm - Height 1.8 cm

Weight
122 gr

Materials
Urihada kaede (melon-barked maple, Acer rufinerve)

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.