Old Japanese Kate-Kiri-Ban Board / Aizu, Fukushima / 1868-1926 / Abstract Art

Details

Description

This board comes from an old farmhouse in Showa Village, in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima lies in … Read more This board comes from an old farmhouse in Showa Village, in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima lies in the Tohoku region, the northern part of Japan's main island, a few hours north of Tokyo. Aizu is its inland western area, a land of mountains and deep winter snow. Showa Village is a small village set even deeper in those mountains, home to only about 1,200 people, where around two meters of snow piles up each winter. The village is known for karamushi (ramie), a plant of the nettle family whose fibers are spun into thread and woven into cloth. It is the only place on Japan's main island where ramie is still grown commercially, and the tradition has been handed down for some 600 years. During the long winters when the village was shut in by snow, people spun and wove to support their living. This board is a tool from that life, shaped by nature and handwork. We purchased it directly from a local buyer who gathers items from old houses in this area, so we are confident that it comes from this region.

It is called a "Kate-Kiri-Ban," an old kitchen tool. "Kate" means food, "Kiri" means to cut, and "Ban" means board. In other words, it is a board for cutting everyday ingredients, mainly vegetables. The character for "Kate" carries a meaning beyond mere food: it also signifies what sustains life itself. The edges are made slightly raised to keep the chopped food from spilling, a small detail that reflects the wisdom of daily life.

We believe it dates from the Meiji to Taisho period, around 1868 to 1926. The wood is difficult to identify after so many years of change, but it feels relatively light in the hand, so it may be a softwood such as a conifer.

The black color of the whole board comes from soot. Aizu is a cold, snowy region, and open hearths were used for a very long time, so the soot seems to have soaked into the board and produced this deep black. On the other hand, only the central area that was actually used has been worn pale and whitish. Black around the edges, pale where it was used: this contrast is exactly what gives the board its character.

The front side has been hollowed out considerably from very long use. Please look at the photo where a straight square bar is placed against the board. The gap between the bar and the board shows clearly how much has been worn away. Anyone who uses a wooden cutting board every day will understand how many years it takes to reach this state. It is the accumulation of countless days over decades. It may have been used as a cutting board at home, or it may have been needed for farm work. Either way, the history of that time is carved into this hollow.

At the corners of the edge, the marks of a chisel remain clearly visible. This is the best proof that it was made by human hands. We feel the warmth of the hands of both the person who made it and the people who kept using it.

The back side was also used, and has a completely different appearance from the front. Because the expression of each side is so different, depending on how you display it, it can be enjoyed as if it were two separate works. Hung on a wall, it takes on the atmosphere of an abstract painting, and the edge looks just like a picture frame, which is very interesting. You can hang it on a wall, lean it against a shelf or the floor, or lay it flat as a display stand. It will quietly add presence to any space.

The condition is relatively good. There are no large cracks and no warping, and the board is quite straight overall. Of course, as a tool used for many years, it shows signs of use, hollowing, and stains appropriate to its age, and we hope you will enjoy these as part of its charm.

It is an item that goes beyond a simple utensil and can be enjoyed as an art piece. Among the pieces we have purchased, it is one that stands out as especially abstract-painting-like and appealing. Items like this are not easy to find. Please feel the passage of time for yourself.

When hung on the wall
Size: W55.6cm × D7cm × H82cm
Weight: 6.8kg
Item No.: BO090

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We are a specialized team dealing in antiques and vintage items, comprised of stores based on three distinct brands. While focusing on Japanese items, we also offer a carefully curated selection of attractive goods from around the world—each evoking the culture and history of its country of origin.
Unlike the traditional Japanese antique furniture and art that have been appreciated overseas until now, we shine a light on the tools and furniture that were used for many years in ordinary Japanese homes and farmhouses. These objects have gained a unique charm over time, their beauty deepened by the history accumulated through daily life. In today's world, however, many of these precious items are discarded during home demolitions. We are committed to reassessing their value and passing them on to future generations.
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