Kabazaiku

Kabazaiku (樺細工) (literally "birch craftsmanship") is the traditional Japanese art of fashioning tea boxes, smoking accessories, and other woodworks out of the bark of a cherry tree.

Keeping moisture levels relatively constant, the cherry bark acts as a natural insulator against changes in humidity, which is essential in the storage of tea and tobacco leaves.

to have originated by utilising techniques from a cadet house of the Satake clan, the Hokke (Northern Branch), in the Northeastern city of Kakunodate, Akita prefecture as a secondary vocation for lower-rank samurai, the tradition is said[by whom?]

The "Kakunodate Kougei Kyohdohkumiai" museum in the town's samurai district has extensive exhibitions of kabazaiku artwork, as well as regular demonstrations for visitors.

In addition to tea boxes and tobacco accessories, modern kabazaiku craftsman also create larger-scale wooden artworks intended more for display than for specific use.