Urushi lacquered woodwork rooted in centuries of tradition.
Iba Takahito, the founder of Ibazen, is a new-generation woodworker from Biei Town in Northern Japan. Ibazen uses locally sourced Japanese Sakura cherry wood from the area near their workshop, with each piece crafted with care using traditional timberwork techniques. The distinctive feature of Ibazen wood is the Urushi lacquer, applied in seven layers, with each layer curing for 24 hours. This results in a deep, smooth gloss finish that matures beautifully over time.
![Cherry Blossom Wood Magnet Print Holder [Medium]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0594/9675/9409/files/IBAZ-029-030-031-e1551075707575_7b35e8d4-f76f-43e3-a468-c4c8dd88cafb.jpg?v=1740872595&width=1200&height=1600&crop=center)
![Cherry Blossom Wood Magnet Print Holder [Large]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0594/9675/9409/files/IBAZ-029-030-031-e1551075707575_d87360d5-cb57-4f40-ab3b-de695532d8de.jpg?v=1740872546&width=1200&height=1600&crop=center)
![Cherry Blossom Wood Magnet Print Holder [Small]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0594/9675/9409/files/IBAZ-029-030-031_1080x1350_b03287c7-3d64-40f4-9cd5-6dde591cb713.jpg?v=1740961770&width=1080&height=1440&crop=center)
process Ibazen
Iba's workshop is located in Biei Town in the central part of Hokkaido, northern Japan known as the 'town of hills'. Surrounded by rice fields and mixed forests, it is a place of peace with open skies.
Native and locally source broad-leaf trees of Japanese oak and Sakura Cherry wood are sourced to create each of Iba's pieces of work.
Traditional timberwork techniques and finishing is done entirely by hand using hand-held planes and natural urushi lacquer.