Your Own Personal Sakura Tree

Jan 24, 2025

「EP.05」樺細工

KABA ZAIKU
Akita Prefecture

「transcript」

We all know and love sakura or cherry blossoms, a staple in Japanese springtime. While our eyes are drawn to the flowers itself, the people in Akita had a different perspective.

Kaba-zaiku is the art of crafting using the bark of the mountain cherry tree, creating earthy and natural designs. This bark, categorized into 12 unique designs, can be polished or unpolished, each strip showcasing its distinctive patterns and qualities.

The true test of craftsmanship lies in how these barks are applied to materials. First, the bark is steeped with animal glue and dried, then carefully fixed into place using a hot metal rod. Too little pressure and it won’t stick, leaving a bumpy surface. Too much, and the bark will burn. Precision is everything.

This precision is utilized the most in products where you want to have airtight lids, such as traditional tea tins used for tea ceremonies. The cherry bark also has a natural moisture-resistant property that ensures the tea stays fresh and does not spoil.

Of course, tea tins aren’t the only place where this technique shines. Plates, tables, sandals, phone covers, accessories, you name it! Not only does it protect what it covers, but it also adds a gorgeous natural design and a warmth you can only get from Kaba-zaiku.

It’s amazing how these creations bring a little bit of Akita’s mountains into everyday life. I mean, who would’ve thought that the bark of a tree, not just its flowers, could hold so much beauty?

*The assets featured here are the work of their rightful creators, credited below