Among bamboos, there is the vigorous and thick “Mōsō bamboo” and the slightly slender “Hachiku bamboo.”
By placing these bamboos into a high-pressure steamer or into a charcoal kiln used for making charcoal, a uniquely rich character is brought out.
At our shop, this special material is called smoked bamboo.
Of course it can be used as a chopstick rest, but its slightly wider shape also allows you to place spoons, forks, or knives.There are five different designs.This is a cross section of thick Mōsō bamboo. You can clearly see the fibers that carry water and nutrients through the bamboo. The closer to the outer skin, the denser they become.Each one is about 0.39″ thick. This thickness is also unique to Mōsō bamboo.
We will introduce the designs in order. The names are ones we gave them based on the images the patterns suggest to us.
First is “Fish.”A slender, sharp fish.Next is “Fireworks.”It is carved with remarkable detail.Next is “Diamond.”Various sizes of diamond shapes are linked together.Next is “Grass.”You can see the traces of hand carving.Lastly is “Polka Dots.”They are carved so regularly that it is hard to believe they were done by hand.
Placed on the table, the clear forms and designs of smoked bamboo can be enjoyed with every meal. Please try placing your favorite cutlery on them. They go well not only with bamboo chopsticks and cutlery, but also with wooden or metal ones.
Please choose your preferred type.
__Kazuho Shimomoto’s Bamboo Cutlery__
Mr. Kazuho Shimomoto, who runs his workshop in the mountains of Kōchi, originally built charcoal kilns together with local people, using only earth and stone, and made charcoal from oak and beech wood.
The beginning of his bamboo cutlery came when he hung up bamboo spoons he had carved himself and exposed them directly to the heavy smoke from charcoal making, which gave them a unique finish. From this experience, he went on to make bamboo cutlery smoked in the charcoal kiln in earnest.
Bamboo, which in some parts of Japan today is even regarded as a nuisance, is cut down by Mr. Shimomoto himself in the mountains. After applying heat treatment, he smokes it in his own charcoal kiln and uses the deeply blackened bamboo to craft cutlery as tools for daily life.
The pieces he makes, though sharp in impression, also carry a certain calm thickness and roundness. They are not only appealing to the eye but also gentle to the touch, with a profound charm that is of course practical as well.
The longer they are used, the more the texture of bamboo softens and blends in. While retaining their original “sharp yet calm” impression, they become more beloved over time, adding a small touch of color to the daily table and to the mood of the person using them.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
This is a cutlery rest made from smoked bamboo.
Among bamboos, there is the vigorous and thick “Mōsō bamboo” and the slightly slender “Hachiku bamboo.”
By placing these bamboos into a high-pressure steamer or into a charcoal kiln used for making charcoal, a uniquely rich character is brought out.
At our shop, this special material is called smoked bamboo.
Of course it can be used as a chopstick rest, but its slightly wider shape also allows you to place spoons, forks, or knives.There are five different designs.This is a cross section of thick Mōsō bamboo. You can clearly see the fibers that carry water and nutrients through the bamboo. The closer to the outer skin, the denser they become.Each one is about 0.39″ thick. This thickness is also unique to Mōsō bamboo.
We will introduce the designs in order. The names are ones we gave them based on the images the patterns suggest to us.
First is “Fish.”A slender, sharp fish.Next is “Fireworks.”It is carved with remarkable detail.Next is “Diamond.”Various sizes of diamond shapes are linked together.Next is “Grass.”You can see the traces of hand carving.Lastly is “Polka Dots.”They are carved so regularly that it is hard to believe they were done by hand.
Placed on the table, the clear forms and designs of smoked bamboo can be enjoyed with every meal. Please try placing your favorite cutlery on them. They go well not only with bamboo chopsticks and cutlery, but also with wooden or metal ones.
Please choose your preferred type.
__Kazuho Shimomoto’s Bamboo Cutlery__
Mr. Kazuho Shimomoto, who runs his workshop in the mountains of Kōchi, originally built charcoal kilns together with local people, using only earth and stone, and made charcoal from oak and beech wood.
The beginning of his bamboo cutlery came when he hung up bamboo spoons he had carved himself and exposed them directly to the heavy smoke from charcoal making, which gave them a unique finish. From this experience, he went on to make bamboo cutlery smoked in the charcoal kiln in earnest.
Bamboo, which in some parts of Japan today is even regarded as a nuisance, is cut down by Mr. Shimomoto himself in the mountains. After applying heat treatment, he smokes it in his own charcoal kiln and uses the deeply blackened bamboo to craft cutlery as tools for daily life.
The pieces he makes, though sharp in impression, also carry a certain calm thickness and roundness. They are not only appealing to the eye but also gentle to the touch, with a profound charm that is of course practical as well.
The longer they are used, the more the texture of bamboo softens and blends in. While retaining their original “sharp yet calm” impression, they become more beloved over time, adding a small touch of color to the daily table and to the mood of the person using them.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
This is a cutlery rest made from smoked bamboo.
Among bamboos, there is the vigorous and thick “Mōsō bamboo” and the slightly slender “Hachiku bamboo.”
By placing these bamboos into a high-pressure steamer or into a charcoal kiln used for making charcoal, a uniquely rich character is brought out.
At our shop, this special material is called smoked bamboo.
Of course it can be used as a chopstick rest, but its slightly wider shape also allows you to place spoons, forks, or knives.There are five different designs.This is a cross section of thick Mōsō bamboo. You can clearly see the fibers that carry water and nutrients through the bamboo. The closer to the outer skin, the denser they become.Each one is about 0.39″ thick. This thickness is also unique to Mōsō bamboo.
We will introduce the designs in order. The names are ones we gave them based on the images the patterns suggest to us.
First is “Fish.”A slender, sharp fish.Next is “Fireworks.”It is carved with remarkable detail.Next is “Diamond.”Various sizes of diamond shapes are linked together.Next is “Grass.”You can see the traces of hand carving.Lastly is “Polka Dots.”They are carved so regularly that it is hard to believe they were done by hand.
Placed on the table, the clear forms and designs of smoked bamboo can be enjoyed with every meal. Please try placing your favorite cutlery on them. They go well not only with bamboo chopsticks and cutlery, but also with wooden or metal ones.
Please choose your preferred type.
__Kazuho Shimomoto’s Bamboo Cutlery__
Mr. Kazuho Shimomoto, who runs his workshop in the mountains of Kōchi, originally built charcoal kilns together with local people, using only earth and stone, and made charcoal from oak and beech wood.
The beginning of his bamboo cutlery came when he hung up bamboo spoons he had carved himself and exposed them directly to the heavy smoke from charcoal making, which gave them a unique finish. From this experience, he went on to make bamboo cutlery smoked in the charcoal kiln in earnest.
Bamboo, which in some parts of Japan today is even regarded as a nuisance, is cut down by Mr. Shimomoto himself in the mountains. After applying heat treatment, he smokes it in his own charcoal kiln and uses the deeply blackened bamboo to craft cutlery as tools for daily life.
The pieces he makes, though sharp in impression, also carry a certain calm thickness and roundness. They are not only appealing to the eye but also gentle to the touch, with a profound charm that is of course practical as well.
The longer they are used, the more the texture of bamboo softens and blends in. While retaining their original “sharp yet calm” impression, they become more beloved over time, adding a small touch of color to the daily table and to the mood of the person using them.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
