http://omamorifromjapan.blogspot.jp/2011/07/akita-folk-toys.html
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Kabazaiku, kaba zaiku 樺皮細工 / 樺細工 Cherrybark Craftwork
Traditional samurai residences and rows of beautiful cherry trees are a common sight in the city of Kakunodate, Akita prefecture, where one can experience the taste of traditional Japan. Here, Kabazaiku (cherry bark craftwork) has been passed on from generation to generation since the 18th century as a traditional craftwork.
While its name is kaba (or birch), birch is not used in the actual product – the bark of mountain cherry is used. In addition to its naturally beautiful patterns, deep colors, glazing and smoothness, a wide variety of everyday items are made in this style because it lends them durability, moisture prevention and cold protection.
It is believed that the term originally came from the association of white birch or "白樺" with homes in good standing. Thus 樺 may have described the class of artisans rather than the actual materials used.
One aspect of cherry bark is that it does not allow air to pass through it, making it suitable material for tea storing containers.
Kabazaiku in Kakunodate is said to have started when 藤村彦六 Fujimura Hikoroku, a retainer of the Satake (samurai) family which ruled the city during the 1780s, brought in the techniques from the Ani area (current Kita Akita city). Since then, it became a side job of low-class samurai who were taught by the Satake family.
There are two types of kabazaiku – "molded" and "wood-based" –
both of which require extracting mountain cherry bark, drying, cleaning and making it uniform. When "molding," the cherry bark gets glued to a mold with an adhesive called nikawa, and the mold is removed after is has dried out. In the "wood-base," style, the already processed cherry bark (with nikawa) gets attached to the product itself, and is then "coated" with kabazaiku, so to speak, using a small metal trowel that has been heated over a fire. Each piece of cherry bark needs to fit the shape of the product, making it extremely time-consuming to complete the process.
In Kakunodate, this craftwork is said to have originated from the production of such items as Inro (small containers used to carry around medicine and other items), which became well known after they were shown on the popular TV series "Mito-Komon". Later on, the Meiji restoration changed the lifestyle of samurai, who became required to find new ways to make a living. They thus started to get involved with kabazaiku more seriously, and with a more organized and established system of distribution including wholesale activities, the product's value gradually increased, it came to be presented at expositions and eventually, it was adopted as a gift for the Imperial family.
By the way, you might think that using the bark of trees is harmful to nature, but the bark of mountain cherry trees has the ability to reproduce itself. The "reproduced" bark is called a "second bark", and can be used for kabazaiku once again. This one art form is a microcosm of the traditional way of thinking of Japanese people, which in the past was focused on co-existing with nature.
- source : japan-brand.jnto.go.jp/crafts/woodcraft -
Betula grossa — Japanese cherry birch
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Yokote - Kakunodate 角館町
itaya-zaiku, itayazaiku イタヤ細工 figures from itaya wood
Kakunodate 角館町, Kumoshikari District, Kakunodate, Senboku City.
Made with stripes of bark torn from the Itaya maple tree. The stripes are woven together for items of daily use. When used for a long time, they change color and become beautiful amber color. "It is the customer who creates the art".
itaya kaede, Acer mono Maxim, a kind of maple
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Itaya craft is one of Akita prefecture designated traditional crafts, which is made in Kumoshikari District, Kakunodate Town, Semboku City.
Their characteristics are lightness, strength, and their color, which will gradually change to beautiful amber over time.
In the making process,
Itaya Kaede (mono maple) is used in the shape of strip and is woven into products by hand. Applying the technique of basket making, products like trays, Tsuzura (box for clothes) and screens are also made and further development of new products are expected.
At this moment, they have developed products made of other materials such as walnut, wild vine, and soil dyed mono maple, which are gaining good reputation.
Manufacturing Processes
The process can be divided into 2 parts. One is making narrow strips from raw wood and the other is weaving.
First,
they slit the material into narrow strips. Their thickness will be less than a millimeter. The careful work of experienced craftsmen will make them into pliant strips with the same width and thickness suitable to each product.
Finally,
the strips will be woven into products by hand.
Mi (an agricultural implement used for threshing) and baskets have been the common products of Itaya craft and they have been commonly used from old times as daily necessities.
History
There are several opinions about its origin, but it seems to have developed from farmers' side job in the winter agricultural off-season.
The district has abounded with materials and been close to consumers in the city. This environment helped Itaya craft flourish.
Kakunodate-machi Itaya Zaiku Kumiai
- source : jtco.or.jp/en/kougeihinkan -
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.......................................................................
- quote -
Kabazaiku, kaba zaiku 樺皮細工 / 樺細工 Cherrybark Craftwork
Traditional samurai residences and rows of beautiful cherry trees are a common sight in the city of Kakunodate, Akita prefecture, where one can experience the taste of traditional Japan. Here, Kabazaiku (cherry bark craftwork) has been passed on from generation to generation since the 18th century as a traditional craftwork.
While its name is kaba (or birch), birch is not used in the actual product – the bark of mountain cherry is used. In addition to its naturally beautiful patterns, deep colors, glazing and smoothness, a wide variety of everyday items are made in this style because it lends them durability, moisture prevention and cold protection.
It is believed that the term originally came from the association of white birch or "白樺" with homes in good standing. Thus 樺 may have described the class of artisans rather than the actual materials used.
One aspect of cherry bark is that it does not allow air to pass through it, making it suitable material for tea storing containers.
Kabazaiku in Kakunodate is said to have started when 藤村彦六 Fujimura Hikoroku, a retainer of the Satake (samurai) family which ruled the city during the 1780s, brought in the techniques from the Ani area (current Kita Akita city). Since then, it became a side job of low-class samurai who were taught by the Satake family.
There are two types of kabazaiku – "molded" and "wood-based" –
both of which require extracting mountain cherry bark, drying, cleaning and making it uniform. When "molding," the cherry bark gets glued to a mold with an adhesive called nikawa, and the mold is removed after is has dried out. In the "wood-base," style, the already processed cherry bark (with nikawa) gets attached to the product itself, and is then "coated" with kabazaiku, so to speak, using a small metal trowel that has been heated over a fire. Each piece of cherry bark needs to fit the shape of the product, making it extremely time-consuming to complete the process.
In Kakunodate, this craftwork is said to have originated from the production of such items as Inro (small containers used to carry around medicine and other items), which became well known after they were shown on the popular TV series "Mito-Komon". Later on, the Meiji restoration changed the lifestyle of samurai, who became required to find new ways to make a living. They thus started to get involved with kabazaiku more seriously, and with a more organized and established system of distribution including wholesale activities, the product's value gradually increased, it came to be presented at expositions and eventually, it was adopted as a gift for the Imperial family.
By the way, you might think that using the bark of trees is harmful to nature, but the bark of mountain cherry trees has the ability to reproduce itself. The "reproduced" bark is called a "second bark", and can be used for kabazaiku once again. This one art form is a microcosm of the traditional way of thinking of Japanese people, which in the past was focused on co-existing with nature.
- source : japan-brand.jnto.go.jp/crafts/woodcraft -
Betula grossa — Japanese cherry birch
.......................................................................
.
........................................................................................................................................................
Yokote - Kakunodate 角館町
itaya-zaiku, itayazaiku イタヤ細工 figures from itaya wood
Kakunodate 角館町, Kumoshikari District, Kakunodate, Senboku City.
Made with stripes of bark torn from the Itaya maple tree. The stripes are woven together for items of daily use. When used for a long time, they change color and become beautiful amber color. "It is the customer who creates the art".
itaya kaede, Acer mono Maxim, a kind of maple
- quote -
Itaya craft is one of Akita prefecture designated traditional crafts, which is made in Kumoshikari District, Kakunodate Town, Semboku City.
Their characteristics are lightness, strength, and their color, which will gradually change to beautiful amber over time.
In the making process,
Itaya Kaede (mono maple) is used in the shape of strip and is woven into products by hand. Applying the technique of basket making, products like trays, Tsuzura (box for clothes) and screens are also made and further development of new products are expected.
At this moment, they have developed products made of other materials such as walnut, wild vine, and soil dyed mono maple, which are gaining good reputation.
Manufacturing Processes
The process can be divided into 2 parts. One is making narrow strips from raw wood and the other is weaving.
First,
they slit the material into narrow strips. Their thickness will be less than a millimeter. The careful work of experienced craftsmen will make them into pliant strips with the same width and thickness suitable to each product.
Finally,
the strips will be woven into products by hand.
Mi (an agricultural implement used for threshing) and baskets have been the common products of Itaya craft and they have been commonly used from old times as daily necessities.
History
There are several opinions about its origin, but it seems to have developed from farmers' side job in the winter agricultural off-season.
The district has abounded with materials and been close to consumers in the city. This environment helped Itaya craft flourish.
Kakunodate-machi Itaya Zaiku Kumiai
- source : jtco.or.jp/en/kougeihinkan -
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