Enuma cup Cherry

At a glance

- Yamanaka Shikki (山中漆器), Ishikawa Prefecture, METI-designated traditional craft
- Turned from sakura (桜, cherry wood); fine grain, warm pink-gold tone
- 8cm wide, 8.8cm tall; walls turned to 1 to 2mm; gently flared lip

Cherry wood has a quietness to it. A fine, close grain and a warm pink-gold tone that does not announce itself but rewards looking closely. In Japan, sakura (桜) is one of the most appreciated timbers for its combination of strength, workability, and the way the colour deepens gradually with age.

Shirasagi Mokkogei (白鷺木工) is a third-generation workshop in Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture, specialising in Yamanaka Shikki (山中漆器), a METI-designated lathe-turning tradition with over 400 years of history in the mountain forests of Ishikawa. Each piece is turned until the walls reach just 1 to 2 millimetres, a process requiring exceptional steadiness and judgement. The Enuma cup in cherry wood is turned until the walls reach 1 to 2 millimetres, a thinness that gives it an unexpected lightness in the hand. The gently flared lip makes drinking comfortable whether the cup is holding morning tea, coffee, or something cold. The finish is applied to let the grain come through rather than sit on top of it; the tone will deepen quietly with use.

Consider the Shirasagi bundle set for a full collection.

* Because no two pieces of wood are the same in nature, every cup truely has its unique pattern and colour. The final cup for your order will be selected at random and these photos are for reference only.