Salt-glazed burl wood scepter, 1 shaku (300mm), top quality.

Shioji is one of Japan's most representative precious woods, a deciduous broad-leaved tree belonging to the ash family. It is distributed from Hokkaido to central Honshu and has been used as building and craft material since ancient times. Its wood grain has a bright and elegant tone, and when polished it takes on a soft luster, so it has been highly valued as a beautiful white wood since ancient times.

This ceremonial scepter is crafted from wood exhibiting "tamamoku," a particularly rare type of grain found in salt-fired wood. Tamamoku is a special wood grain that appears very rarely during the tree's growth process, consisting of a series of round grains. It is so named because, depending on the angle of the light, it looks as if countless tiny beads are floating on the surface. The neatly arranged, bead-like grain resembles ripples spreading across the surface of water or a row of beads holding a quiet light, evoking a mystical landscape created by nature over many years.

This scepter is meticulously carved to maximize the beauty of the burl grain that appears throughout the wood, and the flow of the grain is beautifully arranged within the gently curving shape of the scepter. When light hits it, the burl grain comes to life in three dimensions, and its greatest appeal lies in the fact that it shows various expressions depending on the angle.

The pure tones of the salt-based wood and the delicate, vibrant grain of the burl wood exude a quiet elegance and refinement. This piece, a harmonious blend of rare, naturally occurring grain and meticulous handcrafting, possesses the charm of a truly one-of-a-kind work of art.

Since no two pieces of wood have the same grain pattern, this scepter is a truly unique piece, possessing an unparalleled beauty. We hope you will enjoy the beauty of natural wood, nurtured over many years, and the profound expression unique to fine wood for many years to come.