Made by Master of Wood Craft, Mr. Nobuo Kai
Mr. Nobuo Kai is a master of wood craft, based in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture. His specialty is tableware, made of bamboo (from Oita Prefecture) and Japanese cherry birch (from Shimane Prefecture). His artisanal work starts from selecting the perfect material, then goes through the sun-drying process of the wood. Depending on the season and weather, how the wood is dried and the length of the period can vary and requires his daily attention and care. Each piece is carefully carved by hand, then the final coating is applied. From small utensils to bowls and plates, they are designed for the functionality. Mr. Kai’s works are the results of the true craftsmanship and the production is extremely limited.
I have been personally using his utensils for years and love for their utility and beauty. So, I am very excited his products are introduced in the US for the first time by TOIRO. Upon my initial request, Mr. Kai asked me to be patient, because sometimes it takes longer time for him to just source the right wood and figure out which part is suitable for which product. I admire his dedication to his work and months of waiting was truly worth it. - Naoko