Wazen Traditional Japanese Wood Place Setting

Few of Japan's local traditional crafts are as impressive as kumiko, an incredibly delicate way of creating geometrical latticework patterns using pieces of wood, usually the Japanese species of cedar called sugi. What makes kumiko even more impressive is that everything is done without the use of nails, which requires a high level of accuracy in cutting and fitting the pieces together that rivals laser cutting! The kumiko artisans, though, manage to do it all by hand and create unique items, like the Wazen Traditional Japanese Wood Place Setting!

Using sugi wood from Akita Prefecture, the craftspeople of Ominato Bunkichi Shoten from Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, have put together a stunning place setting comprising a kumiko place mat, kumiko coaster, and pair of chopsticks with rest. The place mat is 420 x 306 x 40 mm (16.5 x 12 x 1.6"), the coaster is 108 x 108 x 15 mm (4.3 x 4.3 x 0.6"), and the 230 mm (9") chopsticks are octagonal for a better grip. If you're not familiar with kumiko or you are and always wanted to own something made in it, the Wazen Traditional Japanese Wood Place Setting is for you!

Specs and Features:

• Made in Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, using the traditional woodworking technique kumiko
• Contains: place mat, coaster, octagonal chopsticks, chopstick rest
• Dimensions (place mat): 420 x 306 x 40 mm (16.5 x 12 x 1.6")
• Weight (place mat): 300 g (10.6 oz)
• Dimensions (coaster): 108 x 108 x 15 mm (4.3 x 4.3 x 0.6")
• Weight (coaster): 50 g (1.8 oz)
• Length (chopsticks): 230 mm (9")
• Weight (chopsticks): 8 g (0.3 oz)
• Material: sugi cedar wood from Akita Prefecture