Decorative Rice Measure Bucket - Itomasu, Ōgaki, early Shōwa era, Japan.
Traditional, handmade wooden rice measure, 'Itomasu,' crafted from sturdy wooden slats and thick metal bands.
Dimensions: height 31 cm, diameter 31 cm.
This itomasu bucket features wooden handles. The old stamped markings complete its authentic appearance.
An authentic and unique interior piece originating from Ōgaki.
Perfect for use, for instance, as a flower arrangement vase for dried bouquets.
Used as a unit (one masu) - this bucket was a standard unit used by rice shops throughout Japan in the late Meiji and Taisho eras. The bucket contained approximately 18 liters or 40 pounds of rice. On the side, there is a stamp with the name of the rice shop. Additional smaller stamps can sometimes be seen as official symbols given by government officials - they verified and approved that this bucket is an exact standard unit - one itomasu.