Water buckets come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes the designs depend on the country where they come from. Japanese water buckets, for example, are used to ferment rice bran. Traditionally, rice bran and pickles are fermented in a wooden bucket called Nukazuke.
Usually, Nukazuke buckets have lids to cover the rice bran, and are large enough to accommodate mixing. Contrary to popular belief, these buckets are not expensive to make. In fact, they can be made from an old redwood bucket.
Materials and Equipment:
• an old redwood bucket (or redwood boards, if an old bucket is not available)
• drill
• screws
• saw
• sandpaper
• paint/wood finish
• glue
• spring clamp
• wood scraps
The hardware should be first removed and the holes should be patched up with scraps of redwood. The wood scraps can be shaped first to shape or suit the contours of the bucket.
Japanese water buckets usually have metal bands around their body that can be found near the middle or bottom. These metal bands can be removed and replaced with wooden bands for better stability. Metal bands are not always because the covered part may get rusty.
Next, take a redwood board and ripped pieces about 1m long and 2mm thick. Glue one end of the wooden band to the side of the bucket. Secure this with screws or spring clamps. Keep gluing the wooden bands until you have covered the entire circumference of the bucket. Let the glue dry overnight.
Since the bucket is tapered with the opening, the wooden bands may not lay completely flat against the body of the bucket. Thus, you may find it challenging to glue the bands. Should there be any gaps between the bucket and the bands, don’t fret. The glue will eventually harden and form a sort of filling that will keep the bands together. Once the bucket has been painted, the gap won’t be that noticeable.
Now the third step is to cut the boards to create a lid for the wooden Japanese bucket. Cut 30.5 cm of redwood and lay them side by side. Turn the bucket upside down and trace the bucket circumference – use a pencil to make marks on the board. Cut the boards, following the trace, until you have a circle.
Join the lid boards using four supporting redwood boards, each 19mm thick and 51mm wide. The two boards could be attached at the bottom of the lid – this will keep the lid from sliding off. Use the remaining boards as handles on top of the lid. Drill holes where necessary and secure the boards with screws. If the lid doesn’t snugly fit the bucket, trim the lower boards, or taper off portions from the lid.
Sand the bucket and lid, and paint it if necessary. Traditionally, though, Nukazuke water buckets retain the natural color of wood. Redwood, however, is a good choice because it does not absorb moisture. This bucket is indeed perfect for if you want a functional but beautiful water container.
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