Ibazen Urushi Sakura shelf or wall tray

A small fuki-urushi lacquered sakura (Japanese cherry) shelf with a shaped, concave surface ideal for holding pens, pencils, or other small roll prone items. Made entirely by the hand of Iba Takahito in Biei City, close to Asahikawa amongst the forests and highlands of Hokkaido. The shelf supports are fixed using dovetail joints, and the whole is coated by seven layers of natural urushi lacquer - the sap of Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Japanese sumac) - each requiring a minimum of 24 hours curing in a humidity and temperature controlled chamber. Approximately 30cm long, 7.5 cm deep, and 5cm high.