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 trees used for Akita cherry bark work are mainly wild cherry trees from the Tohoku region, which grow in a harsh climate and are said to be beautiful and durable.

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.

Since its establishment in 1876, Yatsuyanagi has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of wild cherry bark work for generations in Kakunodate, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, a place rich in nature. They are a manufacturer that puts their heart and soul into each and every product, using the high technology that has been handed down from generation to generation to create tools for daily life that are both easy to use and beautiful.