Small Japanese-Style Paulownia Wood Hibachi
A small paulownia wood hibachi with a strong Japanese feel — modest in size but rewarding to look at. Made of Japanese paulownia, it has soft grain and is light to hold, yet still carries the particular warmth of solid wood. With time, the surface has taken on a subdued, slightly lustrous brown tone, and the edges and corners show light wear, giving the calm atmosphere found only in old pieces. The outer wall is painted in gold with chrysanthemums, their petals opening layer upon layer and their branches and leaves interlacing; the lines are fine, with some of the imperfections of hand painting that echo the Japanese aesthetic of objects that are useful but unaffected. The gold chrysanthemums stand out against the dark brown wood: from a distance they read as a quiet ring of flower shadows, while up close the detail of each petal can be enjoyed.
