Camphor Laurel and Japanese Cherry Birch square table
H 50.5 x W 53 x D 43 cm,Year.2018Katsuyuki Okada
1943 -- Wood and Bamboo
- Price Range Please Inquire
About the Artwork
A small table with a mysterious pattern that looks like a large eye.
This mysterious pattern is the wood grain of camphor wood. At first, I thought it looked like a flower, but it also looks a little strange and mysterious.
Camphor wood is quite popular in Japan. It has been a very important wood since ancient times, and has been used to make the oldest Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) statues in Horyuji Temple in Nara.
As the wood contains camphor oil, it has a very strong aroma.
The wood used in parts other than the middle of the top board is Japanese cherry birch, a kind of birch wood. This wood also has a strong aroma, and it is said that it used to be used as a charm against evil.
This table is an interesting combination of aromatic trees that have been cherished in Japan since ancient times.
As I used traditional wood joinery techniques to make this piece, no metal parts have been used. The color is natural with no colors added.
Description
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CategoryWood and Bamboo
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MaterialsCamphor Tree, Japanese cherry birch
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DimensionsH 50.5 x W 53 x D 43 cm
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Year of creation2018
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InstructionsAs a transparent coating is applied, this table is waterproof.
However, please avoid sudden heat (placing under the heater, near a hot kettle or iron kettle etc.) or use of sharp blades, hammers etc. as this may cause damage to the wooden body. Please also avoid nail polish and other chemicals as this may cause the coating to peel off.
Please be aware that wood expands and shrinks depending on where it is used as it absorbs and releases moisture even after being processed. For example, even by moving the table among nearby regions in western Japan, a distortion may occur as the humidity is different.
The distortion is very small, but this may cause a slight defect.
Please be aware of this as it is the nature of wood.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Techniques Used
Wood joinery
In wood joinery (sashimono), wood boards are cut into panels with care to how the grain patterns will fit together in the final piece. The wooden panels are then cut or carved to create interlocking joints. These joints, which are the key feature of wood joinery, make it possible to connect boards at right angles to produce boxes and other articles. Wood joinery is assembled without the use of nails or any other metal hardware.
