This soba bowl was handcrafted by a craftsman who carved a large Japanese horse chestnut tree. It's not too big, so it won't take up much storage space. The chisel marks, resembling dragon scales, create a beautiful piece that I used to display on a shelf. Large broadleaf trees, with significant age, generally only grow naturally in untouched forests. However, it's difficult to harvest new timber from these natural forests now, so we cherish the wood that was collected in the past. Large carved items are rare and difficult to make because the wood must be dried slowly over many years to prevent cracking during carving, and the type of wood also affects the outcome. The number of artisans capable of creating these is rapidly decreasing. The craftsman who created this magnificent piece has retired, and there is no successor, so this is likely the last of its kind. Size: Outer diameter 33cm, Inner diameter 30cm Height 10cm, Depth 7cm *Measurements are approximate due to being taken by a non-professional. Both the inside and outside are hand-carved, with numerous fine grooves carved into the inside. These grooves prevent the flour from sticking to the bowl when kneading, resulting in delicious soba noodles. I found this bowl a few years ago in a soba restaurant in Tohoku and added it to my collection. I've been looking at it, thinking of using it for udon or bread making, but perhaps it would be better for someone who can utilize its true potential. A handcrafted item that can be displayed or used. How about it?