Vintage Japanese Kabazaiku Cherry Bark Obon Tray with Sakura Motif, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0219-1

Vintage Japanese Kabazaiku Cherry Bark Obon Tray with Sakura Motif, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0219-1

A handcrafted kabazaiku cherry bark tray adorned with applied sakura blossom motifs -- where traditional Japanese craft meets quiet natural beauty.

An obon is a traditional Japanese serving tray used to present tea, sweets, and small dishes with care and elegance. This rectangular flat tray is a fine example of kabazaiku -- a centuries-old Japanese craft tradition associated with the Kakunodate region of Akita Prefecture -- in which the mottled, lenticel-marked bark of wild cherry trees is applied in panels to a wood core, creating a rich reddish-brown surface with extraordinary natural texture. The raised rim keeps items secure during service, while the lacquered interior showcases a graceful diagonal arrangement of pale five-petal sakura blossoms, each applied individually against the dark glossy ground in a composition that evokes petals drifting across water. The underside is finished in a smooth deep burgundy lacquer, completing the refined presentation. This is a handcrafted Japanese craft object of real character -- the kind of vintage Japanese decorative piece that collectors and design lovers seek out for its natural materials and cultural depth.

Today this obon tray translates beautifully into a variety of modern interior settings. Use it as a living room accent tray on a coffee table to corral candles, a small vase, and a book -- its warm tones complement both Japandi style and wabi-sabi aesthetic interiors equally well. It works equally well as a desk organizer tray for small stationery items or a bedroom decor accent on a dresser or nightstand. The striking cherry bark rim and sakura motif interior also make it a natural choice for display -- propped upright on a shelf or sideboard, it reads as a piece of art in its own right. A thoughtful housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese vintage pieces and vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan, likely Akita region (kabazaiku tradition)
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Wood core clad in cherry bark veneer (kabazaiku); dark lacquered interior with applied pale wood sakura blossom motifs; plain lacquered underside
• Use: Serving tea and food; decorative display tray (obon)
• Modern Use: Coffee table accent tray; desk or dresser organizer; decorative display piece on a shelf or sideboard
• Features: Rectangular flat form with low raised rim; mottled reddish-brown cherry bark panels on all sides with characteristic lenticels; dark lacquered interior with scattered applied five-petal sakura blossom decoration in a diagonal drifting composition; smooth deep burgundy lacquered underside
• Dimensions: 10"W x 14"D x 1"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautiful piece of vintage Japanese craft -- the natural warmth of kabazaiku cherry bark and the timeless poetry of sakura, ready to bring quiet elegance to any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.