Wagatabon Tray Carving : 28th June 2025
SKU:
£90.00
£90.00
per item
The wagatabon is a type of wooden tray that used to be made by roof shingle makers in Wagatani village, Ishikawa, the snowy area of Japan. It is said that the trays had been made there since early 17th century. The makers used to cleave green chestnut logs to produce shingles, and kept the good ones to carve trays in winter. Large ones were used for carrying bowls and plates, small ones for keeping small tools. Deep ones were also used for giving an offering of rice and grain to their ancestors at the small shrine in their houses. In 1961 the whole village was evacuated because of the construction of dams which flooded the area, and the craft died out.
The beauty and simplicity of the wagatabon was then re-discovered by several craftspeople, including Tatsuaki Kuroda, Japan’s first living national treasure in woodwork. Since then a small number of craftspeople have been making them for daily use. Long time Big Tree friend and master craftsman Masashi Kutsuwa has been a great help in encouraging us to start this course. Brian Mahler our resident spoon and shrink pot guru will take your through the process.
All courses are run from our Buy Design Gallery garden courtyard. It was the old Dairy and Milking yard for the estate farm in years past. Working outside and under cover makes it a great setting and as a space for learning and enjoyment.
We ask all participants to bring lunch, warm working clothes and strong sensible footwear. We gather up at 9.30 for a cuppa, meet the others and get started by 10, working through til about 5. If you need suggestions for accommodation see here .
Venue Address :
Buy Design Gallery, Harestanes Visitor Centre, by Ancrum, Jedburgh,
Scottish Borders TD8 6UQ
01835 830718 or 07732 676056 www.thebigtreesociety.co.uk
The beauty and simplicity of the wagatabon was then re-discovered by several craftspeople, including Tatsuaki Kuroda, Japan’s first living national treasure in woodwork. Since then a small number of craftspeople have been making them for daily use. Long time Big Tree friend and master craftsman Masashi Kutsuwa has been a great help in encouraging us to start this course. Brian Mahler our resident spoon and shrink pot guru will take your through the process.
All courses are run from our Buy Design Gallery garden courtyard. It was the old Dairy and Milking yard for the estate farm in years past. Working outside and under cover makes it a great setting and as a space for learning and enjoyment.
We ask all participants to bring lunch, warm working clothes and strong sensible footwear. We gather up at 9.30 for a cuppa, meet the others and get started by 10, working through til about 5. If you need suggestions for accommodation see here .
Venue Address :
Buy Design Gallery, Harestanes Visitor Centre, by Ancrum, Jedburgh,
Scottish Borders TD8 6UQ
01835 830718 or 07732 676056 www.thebigtreesociety.co.uk
3 available