ITAYA SPIRIT - Soft Stone Incense Holder

[Liaison x Nakagawa no Mori x UNGA PLUS] ITAYA SPIRIT - The Story Connected by Miyakichi Itaya, a Merchant from Otaru Nakagawa-machi, located in northern Hokkaido, is a town blessed with abundant nature, with 87% of its total area covered in forests. Centered around the Teshiokawa River, which flows north-south, the town features crescent-shaped lakes forming gentle curves, preserving a pristine waterfront landscape. One place that retains the vestiges of the original landscape from the time of its development is "Itatani." During the Meiji period, this area was owned by Miyakichi Itatani, a merchant from Otaru who played a key role in the modernization of Hokkaido, and was opened up by settlers. Inheriting the spirit of these pioneers, we deliver the story of Miyakichi Itatani through handcrafted items made by Hokkaido artisans using lumber harvested from "Nakagawa no Mori" (Nakagawa Forest). This project connects the history of Otaru and Nakagawa-machi, allowing us to contemplate their shared past, understand their points of connection, and build a future through interaction with people living in the present.

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This soft stone incense burner is the result of a collaboration with Liaison, a Sapporo-based artist who creates accessories using Sapporo soft stone, Hokkaido-sourced wood, and resin. The incense burner features a beautiful, unified form created by combining wood grown in "Nakahawa no Mori" (Nakahawa Forest) with Sapporo soft stone. * Wood: Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) The soft stone and wood, created over many years, have become one, forming a beautiful shape born from Liaison. You can choose from two types of wood: Japanese maple and oak. * Wood: Oak You can insert incense sticks into the holes made in the soft stone and stand them at an angle. The gentle angle is designed so that even long incense sticks won't scatter ash, and the designated grooves also serve as ash trays. This is a beautiful incense stand that combines design and functionality. Sapporo soft stone is attractive for its soft texture and color. It is also used for the exterior walls of stone warehouses that make up the cityscape of Otaru. This soft stone incense burner is a place where scenes passed down through time overlap.

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Approx. W170 x D30 x H35 mm Acer japonicum (from Nakagawa-machi) Sapporo soft stone *Because each item is handmade, the grain pattern, color, size, and shape may vary slightly. *ITAYA SPIRIT is a project undertaken in collaboration with Nakagawa-cho, based on the 2022 Otaru City 100th Anniversary Commemorative Sponsored Project "ITAYA SPIRIT - Vessels that Mark Time - / Concurrent Panel Exhibition ~The Story of Otaru Seen from the Itaya Forest in Nakagawa-cho~".

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"Liaison" is a French word that means "to connect" or "to link." The name "Rie" is the author's name, and "Ezo" is from Hokkaido, and I hope to connect with many people through my work from Hokkaido. The name is meant to convey the message of spreading awareness of Sapporo soft stone from Hokkaido and fostering connections with it. We offer accessories made by combining Sapporo soft stone with Hokkaido wood and resin.

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We will deliver the history and culture of Otaru along with the craftsmanship of UNGAPLUS.