Wōrunatto (walnut) vase by Masahito Ikeda

This walnut vase, created by Masahito Ikeda, combines the purity of an elongated form with the expressive richness of wood. Its sleek silhouette highlights the natural beauty of the material and the precision of the artisan's craftsmanship. The warm hues of the walnut, the traces of the artisan's work, and the natural irregularities of the material come together to create a highly refined piece. It works equally well as a decorative object or as a vessel for a few branches or dried plants.

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

Technique and decoration
The vase is crafted from wōrunatto (walnut), a wood prized in cabinetmaking for its rich range of hues and beautiful grain. Masahito Ikeda worked this piece on a lathe to give it a precise geometric shape while preserving the distinctive features of the original piece of wood. The surface retains the fine concentric striations left by the lathe, and the walnut is marked by darker variations and natural grain patterns. On one side, two former branch areas with irregular contours and a rougher texture break the continuity of the surface. These marks bear witness to the tree's growth and create a striking contrast with the rigor of the silhouette. The artisan thus brings the precision of his craft into dialogue with the history of the material, without seeking to erase its unique characteristics. This vase is intended exclusively for dried plant arrangements and must not be filled with water.

Place of manufacture
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Diameter 7.3 cm - Height 21 cm

Weight
269 g

Materials
Wōrunatto (walnut)

Period
Contemporary

Care instructions
Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid prolonged contact with moisture, detergents, and direct heat sources. Use exclusively with dried plants. Do not put water in the vase.