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Chabako - Cedar Tea Boxes
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Chabako - Cedar Tea Boxes
In the 1800’s Japan developed Chabako for exporting tea overseas. They attached colourful labels to the boxes, introducing the western world to Japanese Ukiyoe prints and design. With multi-coloured wood block prints showing Japan’s unique design sense, a few of these designs still exist and are occasionally exhibited.Get more news about Wooden Box Of Tea,you can vist our website!
Chabako : Cha = Tea / Bako = Box are wooden boxes that date from the Meiji era and were originally used to export Japanese tea overseas. With excellent moisture, insect, and oxidation-proof qualities, they were created for "keeping tea leaves fresh and transporting them safely”. Made with galvanised iron (tin) lining inside a wooden frame of Japanese cedar made by a skilled craftsman, there are said to last for over 100 years.
30 year old Japanese Cedar wood is exposed to the elements (rain and wind) for two months then dipped in water, flattened by stacking them and placing heavy stones on top until they are thoroughly dried. This strengthens the wood and prevents warping. Metal lining inside the box fortifies the functionality is attached and cut to size with special scissors. Finally, Washi (Japanese paper) tape coverings are used for all the sides and corners of the box to improve durability.
Chabako making is a meticulous process, a constant balancing and matching act between the available wood and the parts needed to make a particular-sized box. Skilled and dedicated artisans meticulously process every step to create a highly functional and sustainable storage box that lasts over a century.
The original role of Chabako (to preserve and carry tea leaves) has almost died out due to the emergence of cardboard carton boxes and aluminium packaging. Some essential materials for Chabako have disappeared, such as the metal sheets made explicitly for Chabako and Washi tapes. As of May 2021, there are only five Chabako makers left in Japan. Chabako remains an endangered industry. In order to keep this tradition alive, these companies are finding new uses for Chabako as interior storage boxes with their sizes being altered to suit modern living.
The Maeda Workshop has manufactured Chabako for 3 generations. Master Maeda is renowned for his fine skill and has been awarded for excellent craftsmanship from Shizuoka Prefecture. Shizuoka, the home of Mt.Fuji is one of the largest tea producing areas in Japan because of the temperature, the clean water that comes from the southern alps, and its proximity to major ports. He began his apprenticeship at the age of 15, not long after the end of WWII, helping his father make Chabako. For the last 65 years, he has dedicated his life to the creation of Chabako. In his later years, Master Maeda began training younger craftsmen in his craft, to pass on the culture and acquired skills for the coming generations. Now, his students continue his work as he monitors, creating Chabako with the same care and precision as their master.