Japanese Wooden Manaita Cutting Board, 1960s

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Description

This generous, low wooden manaita from Japan was originally used as a sturdy cutting or work board in a kitchen … Read more This generous, low wooden manaita from Japan was originally used as a sturdy cutting or work board in a kitchen or workshop. Three wide planks form a flat, almost square top, supported by two crossbars underneath.

The design is deliberately simple, which makes it read today as a minimalist low display table.
Dimensions: height 7.5 cm, width 93 cm, depth 87 cm.

The wood has a light, warm pine tone with visible knots and growth rings. The top shows subtle knife marks, discolouration and other traces of use that enliven the surface without making it busy. Along the edges you can still see the slightly rough saw marks and darker borders from years of use. On the underside there is a marking with the date “Shōwa 36”, corresponding to 1961, likely next to the name of the maker or owner.

Today this manaita works perfectly as a low table or plinth in a contemporary interior: ideal as a base for a large bowl, ceramics, art books or an ikebana arrangement. It also makes a strong styling piece in a shop or gallery to present shoes, sculptures or tableware in a calm, Japanese way. Placed directly on the floor or against a wall, it instantly brings a subdued wabi-sabi atmosphere into the space. See less