Hineri Kamisuki Wooden Twist Hair Comb Dark

Centuries-old birch hair-grooming accessory

The Hineri Kamisuki Wooden Twist Hair Comb Dark is one more of those products that amaze you with their sheer Japanese-ness: it's just a comb, a plain, manual hair comb that combs your hair. Yes, but the level of attention and craftsmanship that has gone into this handmade, one-of-a-kind object made from one of the world's hardest woods, whose Japanese name, ono ore kanba, means "axe-breaking birch," is simply stunning. And so is the design that is modern enough to have earned this comb two design awards and a place at the New York Museum of Arts and Design.

To be fair the Hineri Kamisuki Wooden Twist Hair Comb Dark has yet another attribute that means it is really something more than an exquisite artisanal handicraft item: the same wavy shape that makes it stand out also makes it ideal for massaging your head while combing your hair. So what you get is a mix of hair care and wellness treatment using an organic tool made from a unique material by some of the best craftsmen in history. Perhaps it isn't "just" a comb after all!