Articles — Tableware

Last month OOKKUU had the privilege to hold an interview with renowned University of Tokyo professor and Doctor of Engineering, Professor Shuichi Matsumura. With Professor Matsumura’s in-depth knowledge and eloquent narrative, we enjoyed learning about Japan’s unique history of Mono-zukuri (the art of making things) and Ba-zukuri (the art of making places). We hope you enjoy the dialogue and intriguing tales of how Japan developed its exceptional quality and precision in regard to the products they deliver. In this installment, we will focus on the first topic of “How Japan excels in the art of making things.” ___________________________________________ How Japan...

Whether for work or play, many of us feel drawn to the city. In fact, according to the United Nation’s World Urbanization Prospects report released in 2014, 54 percent of the world’s population currently live in an urban area. That’s more than half of the world’s population, and that number is expected to rise to as much as 66 percent by 2050. The United States alone already boasts 8 cities with populations over 5 million, and two megacities, New York and Los Angeles, with over 10 million inhabitants. Each of these cities is also predicted to add at least 1...

There are many options when it comes to the materials that make up your tableware. Plastic, while affordable, durable, and lightweight, tends to look cheap on the dinner table. Glass is largely dependable, though it can often be heavy and prone to breaking when dropped. Ceramic is a popular choice because it resists breakage better than glass, though chipping can be an issue. And where does paper fit into the thoughts about tableware? In today’s modern times, paper is seen as a disposable material. Paper plates, napkins, sheets of paper to write on: these are objects we tend to use...

< Horyuji-Temple, Nara, Japan - housing the world's oldest surviving wooden structures It is no exaggeration to say that historically, Japan has developed some of the most advanced woodworking techniques in the world. While Europe and mainland China have always been rich in mineral resources and were able to develop advanced building techniques using stone and clay, Japan’s volcanic soil produces very little usable stone and clay, though, on the plus side, it produces a wide variety of trees from which to build houses and furniture. What is especially interesting is how surprisingly durable and long-lasting Japanese woodworking is even...

Japanese cedar wood has a complicated history. On the one hand, it’s one of the most traditionally common woods in Japan and has been used to make furniture for centuries. Planted in great numbers to replenish forests depleted during WWII, the Japanese cedar grows quickly and is considered a sustainable resource. The wood is well known for its rich, textured color that gives furniture with a strong sense of presence through its pleasant scent and its resistance to decay. The Japanese cedar is iconic, covering the forests of Japan’s most famous landmark, Mount Fuji.  On the other hand, the Japanese cedar comes with its...