Very Rare Japanese Akita-Odate MageWappa Wood Platters UNUSED CONDITION

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Very Rare Japanese Akita-Odate MageWappa Wood Platters UNUSED CONDITION:
$54.00

Very Rare Japanese Akita-Odate MageWappa Wood Platters

MageWappa

What\'s \"Mage-Wappa\"

\"Eco-simple\" – traditional, yet new

The Mage-Wappa technique of curved boxes came about 1,300 years ago. Not just limited to traditional bento boxes and rice containers, today it is used for trays, dishes, cake boxes, coffee cups, beer mugs, and numerous other richly-designed products that color the table.

The origins of the award winning technique are believed to come from an early process using Japanese cypress and cedar woodmasame. (Masame refers to straight-grain wood obtained by cutting perpendicular to the tree rings, creating a wood with a straight, vertical grain. Because the grain in Masame is almost parallel and uniform, it is noted for its resilience and resistance to cracking. Further, Masame can only be obtained from old trees with a large diameter, making the price inevitably quite high.) The wood was planed thin, bent into a cylindrical shape, and bound with the inner bark from cherry trees. This process evolved into what became known to the world as Wappa 400 years ago. Today, only about 60 artisans continue the tradition.

The products are manufactured primarily by hand. Japanese cedar timber is squared off and cut to 2 meters in size. These pieces are left to dry by natural methods for half a year\'s time, after which thinly-cut pieces are soaked in 80-100 degree Celsius water to soften. They are then molded into forms, dried, fastened together, and stitched. The shape is then further worked up, followed by coating, polishing, and a final drying before they are complete.

Japanese cedar and cypress are coniferous trees, making them easy to bend and cut thin. Their dense, narrow tree rings make these woods very strong, easy to bend into shape, yet resistant to cracking. High-quality 150 year-old natural Akita cedar is used, a material with excellent flexibility, lightness, and a beautiful texture to the touch. Moreover, Akita cedar is prized for its sturdiness and its ability to hold in heat.

Cedar also boasts natural antibacterial properties and absorbency, making it excellent for bento boxes used to store rice and other foods, which stay delicious in the box even after they cool down. Cedar is heat-absorbent, does not produce condensation, and its surface remains cool to the touch even while the interior holds in heat – this makes it perfect for cups and other vessels.

Today, Wappa artisans engage in cedar tree-planting efforts and forestry initiatives to protect these materials and pass on the art of Wappa production to the next generation.

Wappa vessels discovered in storehouses in Odate, Akita, date to 250 years ago and were used to carry rice balls. Other vessels dating to 150 years ago have also been discovered; these boast precision craftsmanship, and their lids fit perfectly even today.

Thanks to the preeminent abilities of these artisans and the natural qualities of cedar wood, the craft has been passed down for hundreds of years and beloved by many.

Caring for your \"Mage-Wappa\"

Normal Care

1. The first few times you use your Mage-Wappa, please wet the inside with water and then wipe clean with a cloth to prevent the rice from sticking.

2. For unfinished wood, please wash once with hot water and then rinse with even hotter water and wipe with a cloth.

3. Never turn it upside down when drying.

4. Please use the Mage-Wappa only after it is fully dry.

5. If the wood turns black, it is because of insufficient drying but it can still be used.

Long-term care

1. If the oil from something of foods into the Mage-Wappa, don\'t use dish soap. Please use hot water to clean it. If there is a small amount of oil, the hot water will draw it out.

2. If you can not let it air dry, wipe it with a cloth and then microwave it for about fifteen seconds. This will get the moisture out.

3. The correct method for washing is to wash with hot water, rinse with even hotter water and then to wipe it off before it cools. Then set it out to dry facing up. Please wash it in this order.

This magewappa tray is made from Japanese cedar which is shaved very thinly and then boiled in water. Heating the wood makes it pliable, after which artisans can bend it into shape. The brand idenifying small stoppers add a beautiful prominent accent, and are made from polished cherry bark.

New old stock, vintage, unusual, hard to find 3/4 moon shape tray caddy set. One trays fits neatly in the larger tray. Akita-Odate is the mark of the maker on the bottom. Estimated 1960-70\'s. In protected storage for many years. Great RARE, unused set. I am going through everything because I have to downsize. Many unique items going up for sale. Payment via Paypal. NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING Please email any questions and check out my other sales. Thanks for