🗺️ Kakunodate Kabazaiku Heritage Museum角館樺細工伝承館

The Kakunodate Kabazaiku Heritage Center opened in 1978 with the aim of revitalizing the traditional craft of "Kabazaiku" and serving as a tourist hub for the Kakunodate area in Akita. The interior, styled like a samurai residence, features a section dedicated to displaying and selling crafts centered around Akita's traditional "Kabazaiku," where visitors can witness live demonstrations by artisans creating Kabazaiku and even experience making it themselves. Kabazaiku is a type of craft made from the bark of wild mountain cherry trees, known for its excellent moisture resistance and antibacterial properties. It is used for everyday items such as tea caddies, small wardrobes, and trays, as well as various ornaments. Beautiful cylindrical tea caddies with cherry bark patterns are often seen in Japanese homes. Incidentally, it is said that the name "Kabazaiku" comes from the fact that wild mountain cherry trees were once referred to as "Kabazakura" in Kakunodate (there are many theories regarding this). Kakunodate's Kabazaiku has a long history and was once a side business for lower-ranking samurai to increase their income. At that time, the items made by the samurai mainly included crafts such as "inro" (small containers worn at the waist), eyeglass cases, and pendants. During the Showa era, under the guidance of Yanagi Sōetsu, known as the father of folk art, Kabazaiku incorporated a refined modern style into its traditional craft techniques.

You can learn about the facilities representing the traditional craft of Kakunodate's birch bark work. You can witness live demonstrations of artisans creating birch bark crafts. A variety of exquisite and beautiful birch bark souvenirs are available for sale. There is also a free rest area provided.