Japanese Wooden Bucket with Lid, 1940s

Details

Description

Round Japanese pickling tub, originally used to salt and ferment vegetables. The body is built from vertical wooden staves and … Read more Round Japanese pickling tub, originally used to salt and ferment vegetables. The body is built from vertical wooden staves and held tight by dark bamboo hoops (taga)—true craftsmanship with a beautifully aged patina.

Dimensions: height 56 cm, diameter 46 cm
Materials: Japanese cedar with bamboo hoops. Honest signs of use consistent with age; sturdy and full of character.

A fixed, arched carry handle strengthens the construction. The bucket retains its two-part lid system: a recessed inner drop-lid (otoshibuta) with finger notch that rests on the contents, and an outer lid with two cross battens that once supported a weight (tsukemono-ishi) to keep everything under brine—clear evidence of its working kitchen origin.

Today it reads as a very decorative wabi-sabi object with effortless new uses: a striking plant display, or a generous storage vessel for onions, potatoes, and kitchen goods; it also brings warmth and presence to a hallway or living room. See less