Sakura Oshibori Wet Towel Tray

This Oshibori wet towel tray, created by Yatsuyanagi, is made of cherry bark work from Akita Prefecture and decorated with a cherry blossom motif made of wood bark.

An oshibori is a wet towel used to wipe hands, and in Japan it is sometimes provided at restaurants or when invited to someone's home. Softer than a paper napkin and easier to clean hands, it is convenient, hygienic, and environmentally friendly since it is not disposable. 

In addition to oshibori, it is also fashionable to place keys, pens, and other small items on it. Although small, this item shows the traditional skills of the craftsman.

The combination of the lustrous brown cherry bark and the natural wood with the grain of the wood gives it a chic and elegant atmosphere. The back side has a rough coating to prevent slipping. 
The cherry bark is carefully peeled off from the trunk and left to dry in the shade for a year or two to remove the moisture. Yatsuyanagi is committed to the preservation of sustainable nature and the coexistence and co-prosperity of nature and traditional crafts. They are also actively involved in planting wild cherry trees on fallow land.

Yatsuyanagi

Founded in 1876, Yatsuyanagi continues to preserve the rare art of the traditional cherry bark craft known as kabazaiku. Located in Japan's picturesque Kakunodate region, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, their master artisans blend centuries-old techniques with modern design, meticulously handcrafting each piece to create products that are both functional and beautiful. 

From this collection of fine cherry bark crafts, experience the perfect harmony of Japanese tradition and contemporary elegance in your everyday life.

Kabazaiku is a craft made in Akita Prefecture, in northern Japan, from the bark of yamazakura, or “Japanese mountain cherry.” The captivating silk or metal-like luster unique to cherry tree bark, combined with its deep color, is used to create pieces of unparalleled beauty. This traditional Japanese craft has a history spanning about 250 years.