Japanese Traditional Measuring Tool
For over 1300 years, masu has played important roles in Japanese tradition.
Originally a measuring cup for foods such as rice and soy sauce, masu was used to measure rice when it was common as a form of currency.
For Japanese people, masu has been as valuable and important as the rice it contained, and this tradition remains to be an essential part of the lives of people today. The material of masu box is also very special for Japanese people - Hinoki (Japanese cypress) is regarded as a great luxury in Japan. By nature, hinoki is versatile, water resistant and durable against heat and was always a favorite choice of wood for the construction of ancient works of architecture such as the Horyuji Temple, the oldest wooden structure known to date. The fresh fragrance of hinoki has been scientifically proven to have a relaxing and refreshing effects. The scent particles also give this special wood an antibacterial quality, making it an ideal choice for making masu box.
More recently, masu has become widely acknowledged as a vessel for serving sake, as well as a symbol of good luck.
The term masu translates to “growth” in Japanese, and is thus an icon of prosperity and great happiness. Masu box is also an extremely versatile instrument because of its unique shape. Masu is an ideal item for keeping accessories, organizing and displaying products, or as a gift of celebration. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to inventing creative ways to use masu box.
