Akita Sugi Oke-Taru are wooden tubs (oke) and barrels (taru) made from Akita cedar, one of Japan's three great cedar forests, produced mainly in Noshiro City, Odate City, and Kita-Akita City in Akita Prefecture. A tub believed to date from the late Heian period has been excavated from the ruins of Akita Castle in Akita City, suggesting that the history of tub and barrel making in the region goes back a long way. During the Kyoho era of the Edo period, production areas were established under the protection of the Satake domain, and output grew on the strength of the region's abundant Akita cedar resources. Akita cedar has evenly spaced growth rings, resists warping, has a pleasant fragrance, and is highly water-resistant, making it well suited to containers for handling water and food, such as sake barrels, miso tubs, and rice containers. Uses are divided between tubs made from quarter-sawn wood and lidded barrels made from flat-grain wood, with hoops made of madake bamboo, copper, or brass. In May 1984 (Showa 59), it was designated a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Origin
A tub believed to date from the late Heian period has been excavated from the ruins of Akita Castle in Akita City, suggesting that the history of tub and barrel making using Akita cedar goes back to ancient times. Akita cedar, one of Japan's three great cedar forests, has evenly spaced growth rings, a beautiful grain, and resists shrinking and warping, and this abundance of high-quality timber has long supported tub and barrel making in the region.
History
During the Kyoho era of the Edo period (1716-1736), production areas were established under the protection of the Satake domain, and the making of tubs and barrels developed on the strength of the region's abundant Akita cedar resources. Production continued afterward, centered on Noshiro City and Odate City, and in May 1984 (Showa 59) it was designated a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. In recent years, the Akita Sugi Oke-Taru Cooperative has reorganized to carry on the making of products rooted in daily life, such as sake barrels, miso tubs, and rice containers.
Features
The most notable features are the pleasant fragrance of Akita cedar and its resistance to water leakage, which make it well suited to containers for handling water and food, such as sake barrels, miso tubs, and rice containers. Uses and construction differ between tubs made from quarter-sawn wood and lidded barrels made from flat-grain wood, with hoops made of madake bamboo, copper, or brass. The simple form that makes the most of the natural beauty of the cedar's growth rings, along with the sturdy construction achieved through the artisans' handwork, are highly valued.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Wood selection
Strips of wood (kure) are cut from Akita cedar logs.
- 2
Drying
The cut strips are thoroughly dried to prevent warping.
- 3
Stave shaping
Dedicated planes are used on the outer and inner surfaces of each stave to adjust its thickness and shape.
- 4
Assembly and hooping
The staves are arranged upright in a circle and bound tightly with hoops of madake bamboo, copper, or brass.
- 5
Fitting the base and finishing
A base or lid is fitted, and the surface is polished to finish.
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Artisans & Workshops
能代製樽株式会社
A maker of sake barrels and wooden tubs based in Ushiroyachi, Noshiro City. While preserving tradition, it also manufactures and repairs taru-daiko (barrel drums) and koji-buta (trays for fermenting koji).
Official site →How to Buy
- Noshiro Seitaru Co., Ltd.
- A tub and barrel maker in Noshiro City. It manufactures and sells sake barrels, wooden tubs, taru-daiko, and koji-buta, and also offers repair consultations.Where to buy →PR