A new take on a time-honored craft exclusive to Kakunodate

Surroundedbyblackwoodenfencesandlinedwithsamurairesidences,Kakunodateisknownasthe"LittleKyotoofMichinoku""KabaZaiku"cherrybarkwoodcraft,atraditionalcraftrichinhistory,isexclusivelypasseddowninKakunodate,makingituniqueinallofJapanDatingbackabout200yearstotheTenmeiera,KabaZaikubeganasasidecraftforsamuraiundertheprotectionoftheSatakehokkedomainItsnameisbelievedtohaveoriginatedfromthe"Manyoshu"poetrycollection,wheremountaincherrytreeswerereferredtoas"Kaniha,"laterevolvinginto"Kaba"

Therich,deeptonesofwildcherrybark,withitsuniquenaturalsheen,giveitanartistictouchIt’smainlyusedforteacanisters,teachests,andotherteautensilsToday,itsbeautifulwoodgrainisalsofeaturedinaccessorieslikebroochesandtiepins,aswellasbusinesscardholdersandpensBeyondcherrybark,artisansnowincorporatemaple,cherry,andwalnut,creatingcolorful,moderndesigns"ItssophisticateddesignishighlyvaluedoverseasaswellPeopleuseitforstoringtealeaves,coffeebeans,andmore,makingitaversatilechoiceforanylifestyle"