Sen (Castor Aralia Wood) Handbag

The wood grains on the front side look like an unbleached cotton cloth, while there are lace-like wood grains on the back side. It is not gorgeous, but is dignified and classy.
This bag is a little expensive, but this is because it was carved out from solid wood instead of using bending techniques. Even as a skilled and experienced wood turner, it was very difficult to make the elegant curves, so you can tell that high level techniques have been used to make this piece.
I used castor aralia wood, which is used to make furniture, guitars and offertory boxes where people throw in money at temples and shrines in Japan. The wood grains are coarse, but the gloss of the wood and tree rings are beautiful, and is said to be similar to white ash wood. Therefore, it is a popular wood overseas and is exported as "sen" wood.
On the back side there is a "not too obvious" lace pattern. This is the wood grain pattern of the wood between the bark and wood. When I first saw it, I thought it was like lace and came up with the idea to make a handbag.
But as I said in the beginning, bringing out the most beautiful lace pattern and creating a feminine and plump curved line by carving solid wood takes a lot of time and patience as well as high level skills, which is why the price is a little expensive.
However, the owner of the gallery where I held my solo exhibition was very fond of this bag and told me that she liked this piece the most among all the others.
My 12 year old granddaughter said, "This is so cute!!" and didn't let go of it, so it seems to be very popular among women of any age.
I think this classy bag can be used and handed down for many generations, from the grandmother to daughter to granddaughter.
As I used traditional wood joinery techniques, no metal parts have been used except for the hinges and latch. The wood color is its natural color with no colors added.

• Category
  Wood and Bamboo
• Materials
  Castor aralia
• Dimensions
  H 28 x W 28 x D 8.7 cm
• Year of creation
  2019
• Instructions
  As a transparent coating is applied, this bag 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 bag 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.