HASHIMOTO KOUSAKU SIKKI | Wajima Lacquer, Noto Hiba Lacquered Chopsticks

Brand

Tradition in Wajima, the sacred place of Japanese lacquer painting

HASHIMOTO KOUSAKU SIKKI

• 1949
• Wajima lacquer chopsticks, Noto Hiba Lacquered Chopsticks
• Kiyono Hashimoto

History

A women-only workshop that carries on the skills and thoughts of the founder

Wajima is famous for its Wajima-nuri lacquerware, and chopstick making using traditional techniques has also flourished in this area.

The first owner of our store, Kousaku Hashimoto, was trained as a Wajima-nuri craftsman and started his own business in 1949, shortly after World War II.

The first owner, Kousaku Hashimoto, trained as a Wajima-nuri craftsman and started his own business in 1949, shortly after the end of World War II.

He was succeeded by the second owner, Taiji, who worked hard to improve the techniques of Wajima-nuri chopsticks and develop the industry.

Even in the age of cheap mass-produced products, we have continued to stick to handmade chopsticks with the traditional beauty of Japan.

With the sensitivity and attention to detail that only women can provide, we aim to be a company that can create happiness together with chopsticks.

Characteristic

The healing power of Wajima's unique urushi chopsticks

Our Wajima urushi chopsticks are made of Asunaro (Noto hiba), a tree in Ishikawa Prefecture, and are coated with natural lacquer.

Urushi is known as a "healing paint" because of its gentle touch and feel.

The more you use the chopsticks, the more the color changes, and the more durable they become.

The patterns on the chopsticks range from traditional designs with a Japanese sensibility to modern arrangements.

We use pure gold leaf and pure gold powder from Kanazawa, which boasts a 99% share of the national market for gold leaf used in maki-e and chinkin.

Each pair of chopsticks is carefully handcrafted by skilled artisans to enrich your daily meals.

For Customers

I want you to live a healthy life with traditional beauty.

The patterns on the chopsticks have various meanings, such as "cherry blossoms," "maple trees," "snow," which remind us of the Japanese seasons, "red Fuji and cherry blossoms," which is a good omen, and "Nami-chidori," which is a wish for prosperity.

Through chopsticks, we hope that people can feel the apology and profundity of Japanese culture in their daily lives.

Also, chopsticks are meant to be touched by the mouth.

Noto hiba and natural lacquer have both been proven to have antibacterial properties.

In these days when people are more concerned about hygiene, it is important to pay attention to the chopsticks used by family members for safety and security.

We offer not only chopsticks for adults, but also children's chopsticks that are comfortable in children's hands.

A pair of conjugal chopsticks or chopsticks with auspicious designs are good luck charms that can be given as gifts not only to family members but also to close friends.

■From Noto, once again - connecting hearts through a single pair

After the Noto Peninsula earthquake, Hashimoto Kousaku Sikki has carried on the techniques of its predecessors while beginning production of a new product, Noto Hiba Lacquered Chopsticks.

Noto Hiba, grown in the forests of Noto, and lacquer, which has long supported daily life in Japan - these two natural materials come together to create chopsticks with a warm, natural texture and remarkable lightness.

Featuring designs and colors inspired by Japan’s four seasons and auspicious motifs, they are perfect for everyday use at the table, as well as a thoughtful gift.

Award

2020 OMOTENASHI SELECTION Winner of the Special Prize