Japan has been rich in wood resources since ancient times and it has been used everywhere from construction and furniture to cooking utensils. Kiso Valley in Nagano is especially blessed with wood resources and as a result the woodworking craft has developed over time.
Miyabo Urushi manufactures cooking tools and confectionery utensils with various local woods.
Wood has several beneficial characteristics for kitchen and tableware.
The thermal conductivity of the material is low: when used with hot dishes it does not get burning hot like metal. When used with cool items, like as a wine cooler, there will be less condensation.
Wood also gives a sense of luxury and warmth and is therefore often prefered to serve Japanese dishes.
Miyabi Urushi's factory is located in the Kiso District of Nagano Prefecture, which is a production area for high-quality wood such as traditional hinoki. Their craftsmen have inherited the traditional manufacturing method of Kiso and create each item with skill and precision since 1993. Only experienced craftsmen can show the beautiful, natural formed grain of wood in the final product. The wood is carefully sourced from suppliers with whom they have a long relationship.
Types of Wood Used
Hinoki Cypress
Kiso cypress has fine grain and is known as a high-grade wood. It has the nostalig aroma of cypress. The color of the wood is white and
has a characteristic luster. It is rich in resin components, not easy to mold and does not rot esily.
Used for: Cutting boards, fillings, masu pushraku
Sawara
Rich in resin components, not easy to mold and not easy to rot.
Used for: Wooden vats
Spruce
It has almost no smell. Because of the large diameter of the tree, it is easy to take and process large boards.
Used for: Cutting boards, noodle boxes, buckwheat boxes, wooden lids
Park
They have a low oil content, so it is difficult to burn.
Used for: Crates
Once the wooden item is crafted, it is painted with clear, vermilion, black, zelkova and other surface finish paints, to ensure food hygiene. Next, several layers of a lacquer finish is applied.
