Sculptural vase in ichijiku (Japanese fig wood) by Masahito Ikeda

This spectacular Japanese fig wood (ichijiku) vase, created by Masahito Ikeda, impresses with its sculptural presence and the expressive power of its material. The artisan chose a section of tree deeply marked by time, preserving its tears, crevices, and dark veins. Its slender silhouette, pierced by deep natural openings, reveals a sculptural approach that follows the movements of the wood rather than erasing them. Between the delicately shaped surfaces and the raw sections, this piece expresses the full power and organic beauty of the plant.

The artisan
Masahito Ikeda, born in 1978 in Hyōgo and raised in Ōsaka, studied interior design at Seian Zōkei University and then completed professional training in carpentry 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 and reclaimed wood, with an emphasis on the traces of time and natural textures, and ranges from furniture to turned objects for the home.

Technique and decoration
Fig wood (ichijiku), rarely used for this type of piece, requires a rigorous approach due to its structural irregularities, deep knots, and complex fibers. Here, Masahito Ikeda worked in respect of the tree's history, preserving the fissured sections, torn fibers, and natural cavities, fully integrating them into his composition. The light wood, sculpted into broad curved surfaces, is marked by deep notches that reveal the internal fibers and create almost openwork reliefs. These worked sections contrast with the dark, rough, and irregular areas, where traces of the bark and the natural degradation of the wood remain. The vertical form of the vase accentuates this movement of the material, while its upper opening holds a glass container that allows water to be added for a floral arrangement. The vase can also be displayed on its own, as a sculpture in its own right.

Location
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Diameter 17 cm - Height 21.5 cm

Weight
1298 gr

Materials
Japanese fig wood (ichijiku)

Period
Contemporary

Care instructions
Wipe regularly with a soft, dry cloth, avoid prolonged moisture and direct heat. Rinse the glass container with clean water after use.