Old Japanese Wooden Mortar Chair / Early 20th Century/ Primitive Wabi-Sabi Seat

Details

Description

This is a chair made from a repurposed wooden mortar (usu), thought to have been made in Japan between the … Read more This is a chair made from a repurposed wooden mortar (usu), thought to have been made in Japan between the late Meiji and early Showa periods, around 1890 to 1930.

It was originally carved out of a single log as a wooden mortar for pounding mochi (rice cakes), and is believed to have been converted into a chair sometime in the Showa era. In those days, it was not unusual for mortars that were no longer in use to be cut down and repurposed as seats, and this piece is one such example. Seen from the side, the mortar has a distinctive silhouette that narrows at the waist before flaring out toward the base, giving it a character quite different from the simple, straight cylindrical type. The deep hollow once used for pounding mochi has been left as it is to form the seat, and the raised rim wraps around the sitter like a backrest. On the base, the surfaces cut by the craftsman's blade remain just as they were, creating a rough yet powerful form.

For a mortar chair, this is a relatively small example, weighing about 28.1 kg. While it has a solid, grounded presence, there is also something charming about it. The wood grain, matured over many years, and the humble form, most likely cut simply by a carpenter or similar craftsman, carry an unadorned beauty born from the everyday life of ordinary people. Its unaffected, primitive shape takes on a sculptural presence when placed in a contemporary space.

The seat height is listed as 24 cm, but the deepest part of the hollow is a few centimeters lower than that. It can be used comfortably as it is, but placing a round cushion inside will raise the seat slightly and make it even more comfortable to sit on. There are traces of old insect damage on the underside of the seat, but there are no active insects, so please rest assured. There are also age-related cracks, but they will not progress any further, and the piece can be used without any problem.

This is a charming and highly recommended piece that fits perfectly in a primitive or antique-style interior. Use it as a seat paired with a low table, or as a display stand or a stool in an entryway. It is a one-of-a-kind piece, no two are alike, so if it catches your eye, we hope you will consider it.

Size: W48.6cm × D50.3cm × H44.5cm
Seat height: 24cm
Weight: 28.1kg See less