Collection: Kakunodate Birch Crafts Collection

Kakunodate birch crafts are a traditional craft passed down in Kakunodate Town, Akita Prefecture, and are a rare technique in the world that uses mountain cherry bark.
It began as a side job for samurai in the late Edo period and developed under the patronage of the Satake clan. Tea canisters and letter boxes, which make use of the luster and astringency of birch, are moisture- and dry-resistant, and combine practicality with beauty. In modern times, it has also been expanded to include accessories and small items, and is popular both in Japan and overseas as a craft that is close to everyday life.