Sakura (Japanese cherry wood) sculptural vase by Masahito Ikeda

This spectacular sakura (Japanese cherry) wood vase by Masahito Ikeda is a true sculpture, born from an exceptional dialogue between the artisan's touch and living material. In this generously proportioned piece, the worked wood reveals the full organic power of the trunk, with its bark, cavities, and natural irregularities carefully preserved. The striking contrast between the softness of the sculpted curves and the roughness of the unrefined sections gives the whole an almost mineral presence. A singular, deeply expressive work that celebrates the beauty of nature down to its most unexpected irregularities.

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
The vase is sculpted from a solid piece of sakura (Japanese cherry) wood, a tree deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Here, the very material of the tree, with its natural marks and transformations, becomes the subject of the creation.

Masahito Ikeda chose a section in which he preserved the most expressive natural irregularities. The lower part, with its full, rounded curves, reveals the wood's concentric grain and amber nuances. It contrasts with a large area of dark, deeply textured bark that runs across the upper part of the piece. This raw material retains cavities, fragments of decayed wood, small roots, and traces of vegetation, bearing witness to the tree's history and its natural environment.

The sculptural work is particularly remarkable in the way the artisan has revealed the volumes around these spontaneous formations. The carefully shaped surfaces follow the irregular contours of the trunk, creating striking transitions between the smooth wood and the unrefined areas. The low, generously rounded silhouette evokes a natural form shaped by time. A small cavity created by the artisan holds a glass tube into which water can be poured to display a branch, flower, or a few plants. Every angle reveals a different composition, and even without a floral arrangement, this vase possesses all the expressive power of a contemporary sculpture.

Place of manufacture
Japan (Toyonaka, Ōsaka Prefecture)

Dimensions
Diameter 23.4 cm - Height 15.5 cm

Weight
2751 g

Materials
Sakura (Japanese cherry wood)

Period
Contemporary

Care instructions
Gently dust with a soft brush or a soft, dry cloth, especially in the bark areas and cavities. Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, detergents, and direct heat. Rinse the glass tube with clean water after use.