It takes a moment to understand this tableware once you see it: at first it seems like someone has cut, flattened and wrapped tree bark into a functional shape. In reality, these are entire solid wood logs cut down into from above, the craftsman carefully carving out the hollow void in the center.

While it might not be the most material-efficient use of tree trunks the effect Kouta Fukunaga achieves is compelling and each resulting piece is necessarily unique by virtue of the craft process. Selectively pealing back the bark reveals all of the outer layers and adds to the visual impact of the works as well. While designed to work as vessels, they are as much decorative works of art as functional products of design.