Odate bentwood bowl

Name: Odate bentwood bowl
Brand: Kurikyu 栗久老鋪
SKU: BOW-WOD-KUR-001-M
Price: 90.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Handmade

£90.00

Taxes included.

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Material: Wood

Dimensions:
Width: 12.8cm
Height: 7.2cm

Dishwasher X
Microwave X
Oven X

When you use it for the first time, the wood is dry, so rice tends to stick to it. Before adding rice, wet the inside with water and wipe it lightly so it stays slightly damp.

How to wash
1. Fill the bowl with hot water.
2. Wash gently with a sponge.
3. If there is stubborn dirt, leave it soaking in hot water for about 2–3 minutes to warm the bowl.
4. Immediately wipe off moisture with a cloth, turn the bowl upside down to let steam escape.
5. Do not wash the bowl in a dishwasher or subject it to boiling water.

At a glance

- Odate Magewappa (大館曲げわっぱ), Akita Prefecture, METI-designated traditional craft
- By Kurikyu, sixth-generation workshop; master Shunji Kurimori, nationally recognised Contemporary Master Craftsman
- Akita-sugi cedar, cherry bark stitching; 12.8cm wide, 7.2cm tall

Cedar has a particular warmth in the hand that ceramics never quite replicate. This Odate magewappa (大館曲げわっぱ) bowl by Kurikyu is made from Akita-sugi cedar, steamed until pliable, then bent and fastened with sakura-kawa (桜皮, cherry bark) without glue or nails. The bending is done entirely by feel; machines cannot replicate the judgement of pressure and angle that prevents the wood from cracking. The exterior is finished with a hand-applied urethane coating that protects the wood whilst keeping it light to the touch, whilst the interior is left as natural unfinished cedar, allowing the wood to breathe and the faint cedar fragrance to remain present with every use.

Kurikyu has been working this craft in Odate, Akita, since 1874, now in its sixth generation under master Shunji Kurimori, a nationally recognised Contemporary Master Craftsman (現代の名工) and one of Japan's highest living-craft honours. Odate Magewappa is a METI-designated traditional craft. At 12.8cm wide and 7.2cm tall, this bowl suits rice, soup, or fruit. It grows more characterful with every use.