Rice Measure with Iron Finishes

This wooden container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. It is handcrafted with dovetail joints, iron-finished edges, and a hand-arched handle. Over the past century, its reinforcements became integral to its character, echoing the wabi sabi art of Japanese kitsugi. As a philosophy, kitsugi treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. This rice measure has aged wonderfully with a smooth, soft finish developing from the touch of hands over time.