Tomobako

[Darbotek]

Darbotek, I grew up in the Big Thicket and know East Texas humidity intimately. Visitors from Nacogdoches and Angelina counties would visit us and complain about how “sticky” it was. It wasn’t until I was an adult and had left the area and returned that I understood the meaning. You practically need gills to live there!

Kiri wood boxes will develop mold and get a musty smell. I know this from some of the antique tomobako that I have from Japan, also a humid place, with drafty houses.

I would suggest long term storage in sealed plastic bins/bags with desiccant, away from areas where they could have rapid temperature changes. They don’t do this in Japan afaik but then I have seen moldy tomobako.

Whew yeah. I’m sure the humidity down there make my neck (Tyler) seem like a desert. When I ever I think about the humidity down near the coast I think of the Karankawa, who would coast themselves with shark fat to repel the mosquitos. I can’t even begin to image the smell of a hardworking, sweaty human covered in shark fat.

That was my original idea, a Rubbermaid with some silica tucked away in it.

[Baisao]

@Darbotek, I sure could have used that Karankawa wisdom. Mosquitoes are bad of course but the clouds of stinging gnats were worse because the are so tiny they’d get through my hair and bite my scalp. The Big Thicket is a paradox of sorts: it’s rugged and unforgiving place of extreme heat/humidity, dangerous critters, and impenetrable forest; yet it is a veritable eden of flora and fauna, such that only a fool could go hungry there. We were mostly subsistence so we we spent most of our time actively in the Thicket hunting, fishing, and gathering seasonal foods/materials, comme de vrais Acadiens.

I read an account recently that was translated from French. Around 1825 the French built a settlement near on the Trinity River near Moss Hill and had told the Karankawa that it was temporary. After a year, the Karankawa captured some of the French trappers and ate parts of them. This so disturbed the rest of the French settlers that they left the area.

We frequently put in by canoe at that location on the Trinity River. Moss Hill to I-10 is still some of the most remote and difficult terrain in the area. I have huge respect for the Karankawa.

(Apologies to all for being OT)

[faj]

We were mostly subsistence so we we spent most of our time actively in the Thicket hunting, fishing, and gathering seasonal foods/materials, comme de vrais Acadiens.

Out of curiosity, are you of Acadian descent, or was that just a nod?

[Baisao]

We were mostly subsistence so we we spent most of our time actively in the Thicket hunting, fishing, and gathering seasonal foods/materials, comme de vrais Acadiens.

Out of curiosity, are you of Acadian descent, or was that just a nod?

Cajun, yes, though half of my line skipped Acadia and came to Louisiana directly from France.

[DailyTX]

Anyone who can help with deciphering this Tomobako? I think it's for a copper vessel/vase. The paper attached to the tomobako may be the artist?

[Bok]

How to tie knot on Japanese boxes
… that is my question?

does anyone have a good step by step tutorial for it? I feel like I’m doing it differently each time I close a box and never as pretty as when I received it from Japan…

Hope this is the right section of the forum to post this.

[Pants404]

I had a good laugh when I saw this post because it reminded me of the many tedious times I have sat over a box delicately trying to replicate how the knot was originally tied.
I too would appreciate some tips here.

[LeoFox]

http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/tie-the-box.html

[Bok]

I had a good laugh when I saw this post because it reminded me of the many tedious times I have sat over a box delicately trying to replicate how the knot was originally tied.
I too would appreciate some tips here.

It is, isn't it? I have sat in front of boxes not wanting to open them and trying hard to memorise how it was looking before. Try to unravel the least possible to replicate it when closing again…

[Bok]

http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/tie-the-box.html

That’s it! Perfect, thanks Mr Fox!

[Chi-chan]

As mentioned above DO NOT oil it or finish the tomobako. There is value in its natural patina.
Just take a dry cloth and wipe the dust off. If you really need to the a dry damp cloth and avoid the writing and stamp. Someone did mention that some people collect the tomobako from antique stores. Sometimes there is more value to the tomobako's signature and stamp of the artisan or monk than the actual ware itself. My mother is a tea instructor and has a few antique wares where the box definitely has more value than it's content.

If you find that your area is dry sometimes, we put a small shot glass size cup of water in the storage cupboard so that the wood does not shrink and become brittle and check periodically as it will evaporate away. I find my hishaku dries out pretty easily at different times of the year. The cup of water has helped from the scoop and handle from separating. Remember there is a lot of humidity in Japan therefore, drying out is not so much of a concern.