Carp islands

Carp islands  - a Japanese Kodansu - small chest
Another one from that other place and a project from my Japanese 'period' of woodwork.

This is another small chest inspired by the kodansu - small table cabinets of the 19th century. They were originally used to store items related to the Kōdō ceremony.

Kōdō is the art of appreciating Japanese incense, and involves using incense within a structure of codified conduct. Kōdō includes all aspects of the incense process, from the tools, to activities such the incense-comparing games. Kōdō is counted as one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement, along with kadō - flower arrangement, and chadō - the tea ceremony. Kodansu were small, highly valued, and highly decorated with the finest lacquer techniques.

This one is small and would fit in a150mm/6inch cube. The chest is made of walnut veneered plywood. Each side having a star-burst veneer pattern overlaid with typical makie lacquer scenes of islands, pine trees, cranes, and carp.

The inside is veneered with kiri/paulownia. The drawers are of lime/bass wood, with walnut and rock maple fronts, overlaid with gold makie carp.

The bottom drawer contains two small walnut veneered boxes that hold incense. The sides of this drawer are cut back and shaped to allow the boxes to be removed.

The middle drawer contains some small origami 'boxes' for more incense.

I used 'gold' hardware purchased off AliExpress to match with the gold lacquer scenes. It makes it a bit ornate, but it is in keeping with traditional Kodansu.  I eventually took the 'gold' fittings off and replaced them with more subdued bronze coloured one. - less blingie!

I called it 'Carp islands' - derived from the carp and island scenes on the sides.  These are actually Japanese makie phone stickers which use real gold. 

Thanks for looking. Hope you enjoyed it.