Obon Tray — Looking Up at the Ikaruga Sky

Japanese crafted Obon | Craft tray

Each tray is carefully made one at a time by a woodcraft artist who knows wood.
The mood of the grain and the expression of the rim change with the angle of the light.
Randomly scattered patterns in the wood, and a beautifully balanced form born of sure technique.

Ikaruga is a place in the northwest of Nara Prefecture, home to many surviving ancient temples, beginning with Horyu-ji. The upward curve of the temple roofs, a hallmark of such temples, is the motif of this tray.

Specializing in custom furniture and woodcraft, the maker draws out the beauty of the wood while creating refined work that never feels dated.

Highly regarded in craft — including an Encouragement Award at the 59th Japan Craft Exhibition — the maker also publishes poetry, working as an artist of both “hand” and “word.”

The trays speak of the beauty found in everyday life in a form you can see; the poems, in a form the heart can hear.

1985 — Born in Koshigaya, Saitama

2010 — Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Musashino Art University

2015 — Graduated from the Woodworking Technology course, Tokyo Metropolitan Joto Vocational Skills Development Center

[Awards]

2018 — Excellence Award from Saitama Prefecture and the Saitama Prefecture Vocational Ability Development Association, Furniture Making Grade 1, first-half FY2018 Saitama Prefecture Skills Competition

2019 — Encouragement Award from Kaga City, the Kaga City Board of Education and the Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice, 10th Snow Design Award

2020 — Encouragement Award from the Japan Craft Design Association, 59th Japan Craft Exhibition

[About the artist]

Tsuguto Toma (當眞 嗣人)
Tsuguto Toma | ART FACTORY Jonanjima

Price: by consultation