Mori Kougei Rays Round Wood Plate 14" - Sumi-Urushi
Description
A Study in Shadows: The Depth of Sumi-Urushi
Within a quiet, lacquer-black surface, the spirit of the wood lives on. This exceptional plate is finished in Sumi-urushi (墨漆)—a rare, artisanal technique that infuses natural urushi lacquer with traditional pine soot. Unlike flat, ordinary black pigments, this combination yields a heavy, ink-like depth and a quiet texture that feels entirely unique to the touch.
The Rays Pattern: Shifting Light and Geometry
Beneath the dark ink of the Sumi-urushi, the plate features Mori Kougei’s signature Kōsen-bari (Rays) technique. Micro-thin wood veneers are meticulously hand-cut into perfect triangles and arranged radially from the center. This geometric sunburst pattern interacts effortlessly with incoming light; as the angle changes, the submerged grain surfaces with a fleeting, ghostly shimmer that gives the plate a commanding presence on any table.
A Living Heirloom for the Contemporary Table
Perfect for both meditative daily meals and elevated formal hosting, this plate is built to endure. Natural urushi lacquer has been revered in Japan for over 10,000 years for its incredible resilience against heat, acids, and alkalis. True to the legacy of authentic Japanese lacquerware, the finish will never fade—instead, it matures over time, deepening in richness, warmth, and luster with every single use.
Details
Material: White Sycamore
Finish: Sumi-urushi — pine soot × natural urushi lacquer
Renowned for its ripple figure, the wood's radial grain sinks deep into the sumi-urushi black, surfacing with a subtle shimmer as it catches angled light.
Dimensions: Ø 14.2" × 0.5" H (Ø 360× 12 mm)
Care
Shipping & Delivery
Ships within 2 business days if in stock. Once sold out, contact us at to inquire about availability.
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Mori Kougei Rays Round Wood Plate 14" - Sumi-Urushi
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About Mori Kougei
Master Veneer Craft from Tokushima, Japan
Founded in 1953 in Tokushima, a city on the island of Shikoku in southern Japan, Mori Kougei has spent over 70 years perfecting the art of Tsuki-Ita: slicing natural wood into paper-thin sheets with a blade, then reading the grain of each piece to compose it into something greater. Now in its third generation under craftsman Hiroyuki Mori, the studio carries forward a practice rooted in inherited knowledge and an acute sensitivity to wood as natural art.
Working across more than 90 wood species sourced from around the world, Mori Kougei's artisans arrange varying grains and tones into geometric compositions, including their signature Kōsen-bari technique, in which veneer triangles radiate outward from a center point. The result is a tray that shifts with the light as you tilt it, the surface appearing to glow from within.