南部鉄器Nambu Ironware - 岩鋳Iwachu - Σταχτοδοχείο - Cast iron - Ο όρος Wabi Sabi (侘び寂び)

Vintage 岩鋳Iwachu 南部鉄器Nambu Ironware & Wooden Smoking Tray – 侘び寂びWabi Sabi Japanese Craft – 昭和Showa Period

Shipping method: DHL Express

This vintage Japanese smoking tray is a distinctive combination of traditional Nambu cast iron and warm-toned wood, produced with an IWACHU cast-iron ashtray bearing the “Nambu Iwachu” mark.

The wooden body features a practical carrying handle, a pull-out drawer, and a small covered compartment. The removable rectangular Nambu cast-iron ashtray is decorated with a finely textured dotted border, creating an attractive contrast between the dark iron and the natural grain of the wood.

Its functional yet understated design reflects the Japanese Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, where natural materials, simplicity, age, and signs of use contribute to the character of an object.

Originally designed as a traditional tabletop smoking accessory, it can also be appreciated today as a decorative Japanese interior object. The drawer and covered compartment can be used for storing small accessories, while the cast-iron tray may also be incorporated into an incense display or used as a small utility tray.

Produced by Iwachu, a renowned Nambu ironware manufacturer founded in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture in 1902. The cast-iron component bears the manufacturer’s mark.

Estimated period: Showa period, circa 1960s-1970s.

A charming example of mid-century Japanese craftsmanship combining woodwork with traditional Nambu cast iron.


Size
Height: 24 cm×Width: 28 cm×Depth: 16.5 cm


Weight


Condition
Vintage condition with age-related wear, minor scratches, discoloration, and signs of use to the wood and cast-iron components. Please examine the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.


Artist Profile
Iwachu is a renowned manufacturer of traditional Nambu ironware based in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Founded in 1902, the company has preserved the heritage of Nambu ironware while developing a wide variety of functional and decorative cast-iron products for everyday life.