Yakusugi refers to Japanese cedars native to Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, with trees over 1,000 years old. Growing slowly in harsh environments, these long-lived giants possess dense wood and high resin content. Logging has been prohibited since 2001. While its unique wood is used for highly durable building materials, the giant trees visible today are primarily those left untouched due to difficulty in harvesting. The amount of usable Yakusugi is decreasing year by year, making it a precious material. "Uzura-moku" (鶉杢) is a specific and highly valued wood grain pattern (called moku or mokume) found in Yakusugi wood. "Uzura-moku": Translates literally to "quail pattern" or "quail figure". Description of the pattern: This rare and intricate figure is characterized by small, round, or speckled patterns that resemble the markings on a quail's egg or feathers. These figures often appear in areas where the grain has localized twists and curvatures, such as near branches or roots (burls), and are caused by specific growth conditions. Product Description The main features of this pot The finest quail moku It is called so because it resembles the intricate pattern of spots on the feathers of quails. Among Yakusugi cedars, this is an extremely rare grain that only appears on old trees that have grown slowly over thousands of years in harsh environments. Detailed growth rings (measures) Yakusugi cedar is characterized by its surprisingly narrow and packed growth rings due to its very slow growth. The concentric, fine patterns visible on the surface of this pot tell the story of its long history. Rich resin content and gloss Yakusugi contains more than six times the amount of resin (oil) compared to regular cedar. Therefore, by polishing it, it emits a unique brilliance called "Komyo," and it has the appeal of transforming into a deep amber color with each passing year. Sculptural beauty (hikimono craftsmanship) The plump, rounded form beautifully showcases the flow of the wood grain from every angle. Because Yakusugi cedar has a high oil content and is prone to cracking, creating such a well-balanced jar requires advanced "hikimono" techniques from skilled artisans. Wood grain: It has a very dense and beautiful grain with fine, wavy textures. Such a uniform and beautiful product is highly valued as a high-end tea utensil or craft. Shape: It features an elegant design with rounded edges called "makiashi." It's simple yet designed to maximize the beauty of the wood grain. Material Potential: From the color and depth of the wood grain, it feels highly likely that it is Yakusugi cedar. If it's Yakusugi, it can be said to be a very high value-added vintage product because logging is currently prohibited. This Yakusugi pot and its base were made before logging was prohibited. The pot has minor scratches from use. The base has placement marks from where the pot was set, but these are also signs of use, giving it a character that reflects its age. Height 24 cm × Width 28 cm × Depth 28 cm