Kameya Japan Tradition - Kurogaki Wood Sake Set and Zelkova Bowl by Living National Treasure Ryozo Kawakita

Sake Set:

This exquisite three-piece set showcases the mastery of Living National Treasure Ryozo Kawakita and embodies his philosophy of listening to the innate voice of each wood.

The two sake cups are made from highly prized kurogaki wood, a rare material treasured for its dramatic, naturally contrasting grain. The dark, flowing striations against the pale ground of the wood are highlighted by Kawakita’s meticulous lathe work and his signature fuki-urushi (wiped lacquer) finish, which preserves the organic vitality of the material while lending a subtle luster.

The lipped kataguchi sake bowl is shaped with understated elegance that feels both modern and timeless. Its gently curving lip and rounded body make it a functional object for serving sake or other liquids, yet it remains an object of contemplative beauty.

Completing the set is a wood tray crafted from Japanese zelkova, known for its warm honey tones and fine, even grain. The tray’s surface is also finished with fuki-urushi, inviting the eye and the hand to explore its smooth, quietly radiant surface.

This ensemble celebrates the harmony between natural materials and the refined skill of a true master. Each piece resonates with a deep respect for the tree’s life, transformed into vessels of memory, use, and aesthetic pleasure.

Contents:

Sake cups: Approx. 12 cm (Diameter) × 9 cm (Height) each

Kataguchi sake bowl: Approx. 14 cm (Width including spout) × 10 cm (Depth) × 8 cm (Height)

Zelkova Tray: Approx. 27 cm (Diameter) × 3 cm (Height)
(Dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly due to the natural form and handcrafting process.)

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Ancient Japanese Zelkova Bowl

This majestic bowl crafted from jindai keyaki (Ancient Japanese Zelkova), this piece showcases Kawakita’s extraordinary technique of inlaying and turning. The warm, aged tones and complex grain patterns of jindai keyaki are brought to life with carefully positioned inlays that catch the light and accentuate the wood’s natural beauty. The bowl expresses the harmony of tradition and innovation: a timeless vessel that resonates with the spirit of its millennia-old material.

Size:

Height: 18.0 cm

Diameter: 27.5 cm

Important Note:

Each work in this set is unique and individually handcrafted by Ryozo Kawakita. Variations in shape, grain pattern, color tone, and subtle surface details are inherent to the natural materials and traditional techniques. These are essential qualities of authentic handmade artistry. We kindly ask for your understanding and appreciation of these variations before making a purchase.

About the Craftsman:

Ryozo Kawakita (b. 1934) is among Japan’s most celebrated woodcraft artists and a Living National Treasure designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Born into a family of Yamanaka lacquerware artisans in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kawakita began studying woodcraft under his father from a young age. Later, he apprenticed with Yukindo Himi, another Living National Treasure, deepening his understanding of the traditional art of the lathe.

In 1962, he made his debut at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, soon establishing his reputation as an innovator who balances tradition with contemporary sensibility. His technical mastery—especially in coaxing the natural life of wood into form—has earned him numerous honors, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

Beyond creating vessels and objects that merge function with artistry, Kawakita has played a vital role in preserving cultural heritage through the restoration of historical treasures and mentoring emerging generations of craftspeople as the director of the Ishikawa Prefecture Wood Lathe Craft Training Center. His philosophy remains consistent: to listen deeply to each tree’s spirit and to bring forth its hidden beauty with quiet reverence and skill.