This is a traditional Japanese wooden craft, a tea chest made using the bark of cherry trees, which can also be used as a small container or a sweets container. There are no identical pieces among the finished works. "Tea Chest, Kakunodate Kabazaiku" Made by: Kakunodate Craft Cooperative Traditional Craft, Kabazaiku, Cherry Bark Craft, Small Box, Small Container Made using the bark of wild cherry trees, this craft is unique in Japan. There are about 12 types of tree bark, including ame-kawa (candy bark), chirashi-kawa (scattered bark), and hibi-kawa (cracked bark), which are used differently depending on the application. It is said to have originated in the late 18th century when the technique was introduced to Kakunodate in northern Akita Prefecture by the Satake-Kita family. Kabazaiku, which received generous protection from the lord of the Satake-Kita family, spread as a side job for lower-ranking samurai. In the Meiji era, samurai who had lost their stipends took up the craft to earn income, and works that can be said to be the prototypes of today's Kabazaiku were created. The bark of the wild cherry tree is shaved and applied to the surface of the wood, or the bark alone is layered and carved, then polished to finish. The dedicated box is very old, but the contents are clean. Although it is new and unused, please understand that it has been stored at home for a long time. Kakunodate Craft Cooperative Tea Utensils Kabazaiku Traditional Craft Tea Chest Cherry Bark Craft Small Box Small Container