A Minimalist "Paulownia Wood Tray" Born from a Designer's Whim
This tray creates a gentle boundary and brings a sense of tension to the space.
The Birth of a Minimalist "Paulownia Wood Tray"
This tray was born from a collaboration between Sencha-do Tokyo's sister store "Tokyo Saryo" and the paulownia craftsman, Mr. Ozaki. Mr. Ozaki, who knows the material inside out, creates pieces that are quintessentially paulownia wood yet with intricate workmanship, making them truly refined. While he usually finishes his work beautifully in a state where nothing more can be subtracted, we indulged in the whim of requesting an even more minimalist tray, further "subtracting" from his usual design.
A Flat Utensil That Creates a Subtle Boundary
The most distinctive feature is the "edge". By lowering the height of the edge to the minimum and giving it a slight slope, its presence is reduced. This creates a gentle boundary between the tray and the table it's placed on, adding tension to the space without being cumbersome.
The surface is left as bare wood, without urethane or other coatings, to allow you to feel the beautiful grain, aroma, and texture of the wood.
Not Just for "Carrying"
While trays are typically used to carry utensils or dishes to a guest's table, requiring high edges, we felt that high-edged trays can be too assertive when left on the table. This is especially true for smaller sizes sufficient for tea utensils.
This tray is designed to "define an area" for placing items. While placemats or trays are often used in such scenarios, placing even a single teacup on this paulownia tray seems to make the space feel crisp and clear.
Light and Easy to Handle! But Beware of Water
The greatest advantages of paulownia wood are its lightness, pleasant texture, and beautiful grain. It's soft and acts as a buffer, protecting dishes from impacts. The main thing to be careful of is "leaving water on it". If water droplets or spills occur, simply wiping them off immediately with a dry or well-wrung cloth is perfectly fine. However, leaving it wet for extended periods can cause stains, cracks, or warping.
Also, please be cautious when using it in environments with fluctuating humidity and temperature, or in direct airflow from air conditioners, as these conditions can cause warping or cracking.
Product Specifications
- Country/Region of Origin: Japan
- Material: Paulownia wood
- Weight: Approximately 90g
- Dimensions:
- Width: Approximately 170mm
- Length: Approximately 260mm
- Height: Approximately 10mm
- Dishwasher Safe: No
- Microwave/Oven Safe: No