Bird's Eye Maple and Bubinga clutch bag

H 26 x W 25 x D 9.5 cm,Year.2019
Not for Sale
Commission work for similar artworks is also possible.
Commission work, check artworks available for purchase, etc.
  • Wood and Bamboo
  • Price Range Please Inquire

About the Artwork

Bird's eye maple wood is not just a regular maple wood.
It is said to be a top quality maple wood and is used mainly for luxury furniture and musical instruments.
While using such top quality wood, the design of this bag is a little casual as it resembles a stylish person of the Taisho period.
This wood was specially named bird's eye maple after its wood grain patterns. Just like its name, there are fine dot patterns like bird eyes.
The wood grain mentioned here is not just regular wood grain, but very rare, beautiful and valuable wood grain.
There are various rare wood grains such as bird's eye, fiddleback, burl, silver grain etc. which are all highly valued both in Japan and overseas.
Hard maple is also called sugar maple or black maple. Both of these names sound delicious, don't they?
Bubinga is an African wood with a pink-red color, but recently, as it has been registered under the Washington Convention, it is quite difficult to obtain.
The reddish color tone creates a nostalgic atmosphere of the Taisho period.
While using bird's eye maple, I used bubinga for the ribbon handle and feet (the feet are actually laced up shoes! ) to make a bag that resembles a stylish lady of the Taisho period.
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.

Description

  • Category
    Wood and Bamboo
  • Materials
    Birdseye Maple, Bubinga
  • Dimensions
    H 26 x W 25 x D 9.5 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.

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.

photo Bird's Eye Maple and Bubinga clutch bag
Bird's Eye Maple and Bubinga clutch bag Katsuyuki Okada
Not for Sale