Introducing the two series of blue wooden tableware, "KyutarouBlue": the standard dark blue and the refreshing light blue.
Although blue and food are often considered a taboo combination, blue is actually a color with high affinity for food. It pairs exceptionally well with Japanese dining tables and food products.
These tableware items, combining wood and blue in an unprecedented way, bring a new sense of style and excitement to your dining experience.
Located in the Kawada district of Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, an area surrounded by mountains, is the birthplace of Echizen lacquerware, a craft that has been continued for approximately 1,500 years.The KyutarouBlue series is crafted by "Shikki Kyuutarou," a company specializing in lacquerware in that region.
Currently, there are two color options: the standard series in dark blue (std) and the refreshing series in light blue.
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KyutarouBlue is a product born from the maker’s particular attention to detail.It was inspired by a comment that "if lacquer or paint is applied all over, it’s hard for amateurs to tell whether the material underneath is wood or plastic."This led to the idea of finding a way to clearly convey the魅力 of both "wood" and "lacquerware" simultaneously.
At the same time, there was a desire to create blue tableware.Why is blue considered taboo for tableware?We were confident that it would become absolutely wonderful tableware.
In the Echizen lacquerware region, there exists a technique for commercial-grade lacquerware developed based on traditional skills.Using that technology and paint, we were able to produce a carefully chosen blue color and apply a semi-transparent coating that highlights the wood grain.
This resulted in the creation of "Kyuutaoru Blue."
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The urethane paint used exclusively for tableware, developed with commercial lacquerware techniques, is a safe and安心な (safe and secure) coating that complies with the Food Sanitation Law.It is highly durable, easy to care for, and exhibits minimal aging deterioration.Each piece is finished by skilled craftsmen who spray the paint onto natural wood utensils using specialized techniques.
Thanks to the delicate color tones achievable by Echizen artisans, the blue color is born from repeated trial and error with craftsmen.The gradation created by the semi-transparent coating that allows the wood grain to show through resembles waves.The entire piece is sharply defined with a border in a deep blue.
The blue areas are semi-transparent, creating a gradation effect with the wood grain.Even with the same product, the quality of the blue varies depending on the color of the wood at the time of production, resulting in shades like cobalt blue or sky blue, each with its own character.Each item has a unique face, making it a one-of-a-kind piece just for you.
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All the wood used is natural, lightweight, and has a warm, tactile feel.A faint aroma of wood also lingers.Because of its high heat retention, cups can be held with your hands without feeling hot.
Being wooden tableware, it is less likely to break if dropped.This makes it a confident recommendation for small children as well.
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KyutarouBlue tableware matches both Japanese and Western styles.Using it for hospitality or entertaining guests will surely spark lively conversations.
It is versatile—perfect for home cafes, home buffets, or serving desserts.Even simply placing takeout dishes on it can change the atmosphere.
It pairs excellently with outdoor settings such as balcony lunches, veranda meals, or outdoor activities.Vivid colors like yellow, red, or green also match vibrantly!It can be casually used in Japanese-style rooms and with Japanese cuisine.It also pairs very well with Japanese ceramics.
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It also makes a great gift or present.Since it is made of wood, it is less likely to break, and as a "Something Blue," it is recommended for wedding celebrations.*What is "Something Blue"?*It is one of the traditional good luck charms (Something Four) at weddings.It is a European superstition wishing happiness for the bride.
It is also suitable for celebrating the 5th wedding anniversary, known as the "Wooden Anniversary."This symbolizes the couple becoming a family and establishing roots like a tree, and giving a gift related to wood is a way to celebrate this milestone.
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Because of its durability, the color will hardly deteriorate over time.As it is made of wood, it cannot be used in microwave ovens or dishwashers, but maintenance is simple.It can be washed with neutral detergent just like other tableware, with no special care required.
The wood grain areas are coated with a transparent urethane layer, preventing water absorption.To prolong its lifespan, avoid soaking in water; instead, dry naturally or wipe with a soft cloth.
The packaging of KyutarouBlue is gray.Some may ask, "Why not use blue in the packaging?"The reason is that we want you to be captivated by the "blue" that appears when you open the package.Therefore, the packaging is intentionally kept monochrome and simple.
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○Please note before purchasing:*Regarding dents or unevenness in the wood grain*The production of the "Kyutarou BLUE" series begins with inspecting the raw, unfinished wood.During inspection, pieces with significant dents or less attractive wood grain are set aside.After inspection, about half of the raw wood is removed, and the remaining half is painted for the "Kyutarou BLUE" series.If we tighten inspection further, it would be difficult to offer at this price point.A slight dent or unevenness should be appreciated as part of each piece’s unique character, and we hope you will enjoy "Kyutarou BLUE" and wooden tableware casually.
*Regarding the shade and unevenness of the blue paint*Since the "Kyutarou BLUE" series uses semi-transparent paint on wood, each piece will have a different shade of blue and wood grain expression.This is proof of the natural wood material.Each piece has its own personality, and no two are exactly the same.We hope you enjoy your own unique "Kyutarou BLUE."