white urushi chopsticks

Approx. dimensions: 22.5 cm Length

Material: Ironwood, Urushi

Care Instructions: Hand wash with lukewarm water and soap, food safe.

Hand-made in Tokyo, Japan

Urushi is the sap of the Urushi tree. It has strong adhesive properties and is used as a coating material that, when hardened, becomes extremely durable and produces a glossy finish. It can be found in many parts of East Asia and has been used in Japan for several thousand years. When hardened, urushi is very resistant to acids, alcohol and alkalis and is durable enough to last several hundred years. Urushi vessels have been found in excavations dating from the Jomon period (8000-300 BC). Cases have even been reported where the original wooden base has completely rotted away, but the urushi coating has remained, retaining its colour and quality.

Urushi ware will rarely be damaged if it is used for its original purpose. However, there are a few points to remember regarding how it is washed and stored. If these guidelines are followed, Urushi ware will enhance the aesthetic quality of your life for many years to come.

Urushi Ware can be washed with a standard mild household detergent. Scrubbing with sponges, brushes, or steel wool will cause scratches and should be avoided.

Avoid using Metal Cuttlery on Urushi Surfaces, as it will leave scratches. Wooden Cutlery or Chopsticks are advised.

Do not microwave Urushi ware as the electromagnetic waves will burn Urushi.

Do not use automatic dishwashers and tumble dryers, as the rapid change in temperature can damage the wooden core of Urushi ware.

Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and store in a dark place.

Urushi Ware is made from completely natural materials. The lacquer is derived straight from a tree, filtered, and occasionally blended with natural pigments. The typical core of Urushi Ware is wood, which is sometimes reinforced with linen or cotton and coated in a mixture of Urushi and various soil powders. Charcoal is traditionally used for sanding. Urushi Ware that has been damaged can be repaired and re-lacquered. The lacquering method follows a tradition of hundreds of years and involves completely manual work. This produces a natural product that will endure for generations.