Introduction of Blue × Wooden Blue Wooden Tableware "KyutarouBlue" - Two Series (Dark Blue Standard and Light Blue Refresh)
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, this area has been a production site for Echizen lacquerware for approximately 1500 years, surrounded by mountains.The Kyutarou Blue series is crafted by "Shikki Kyuutarou," a company with a long history in lacquerware production in this region.
Currently, the series is available in two colors:- The dark blue standard (std) series- The light blue refresh series
---
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 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-colored tableware.Why is blue tableware considered taboo?We were confident that it would become a wonderful piece of tableware.
In the Echizen lacquerware region, there exists a technology for commercial-grade lacquerware that has developed based on traditional techniques.Using this technology and special paints, we were able to produce a carefully crafted blue color and a semi-transparent finish that highlights the wood grain.
This resulted in the creation of "Kyuutaoru Blue."
---
The urethane paint used exclusively for tableware, developed with commercial lacquerware techniques, is a safe and安心な (safe and secure) paint that complies with the Food Sanitation Law.It is highly durable, easy to care for, and resistant to aging.Each piece is finished by skilled craftsmen who spray the paint onto natural wood tableware using a specialized technique.
The delicate color tones are made possible by Echizen artisans.The blue, born from repeated trial and error with craftsmen, features a gradient that resembles waves, created by the translucent paint that allows the wood grain to show through.The entire piece is sharply defined with a border in a deep blue.
Because the blue areas are semi-transparent, the wood grain creates a natural gradient.Even with the same product, the hue of blue varies depending on the color of the wood at the time of production, resulting in rich variations such as cobalt blue or sky blue.Each item has a unique face, making it a one-of-a-kind piece just for you.
---
All the wood used is natural, lightweight, and has a warm, tactile feel.A faint aroma of wood also emanates from each piece.Thanks to its high heat retention, cups can be held with bare hands without feeling hot.
Being wooden tableware, it is also less likely to break if dropped.This makes it confidently recommended even for small children.
---
KyutarouBlue tableware matches both Japanese and Western styles.It’s perfect for entertaining guests, and it’s sure to spark conversation.It’s versatile—ideal for home cafes, home buffets, or serving desserts.Even just placing store-bought side 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, and green also match beautifully!It can be casually used in Japanese-style rooms and with Japanese cuisine, and it pairs very well with Japanese ceramics.
It also makes a great gift or present.Since it’s made of wood, it’s less likely to break, making it suitable as a "Something Blue" gift for weddings.*What is "Something Blue"?*It’s one of the traditional good luck charms (Something Four) for weddings, symbolizing happiness for the bride. It’s a European superstition wishing the bride good fortune.
It’s also recommended for celebrating the 5th wedding anniversary, known as the "Wooden Anniversary."This anniversary symbolizes a couple becoming a family and establishing roots like a tree, and giving a wooden-themed gift is a way to celebrate this milestone.
---
Because of its durability, the color will hardly fade over time.As it is made of wood, it cannot be used in the microwave or dishwasher, but maintenance is simple.Wash with neutral detergent just like other tableware—no special care required.
The wood grain areas are coated with a transparent urethane finish, preventing water absorption.To prolong the life of the item, avoid soaking in water; instead, dry naturally or wipe with a soft cloth.
KyutarouBlue’s packaging is gray.Some may wonder, "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 monochrome and simple in design.
---
**Please note before purchasing:***Regarding dents and uneven 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.About half of the raw wood is discarded at this stage, and the remaining pieces are painted for the "Kyutarou BLUE" series.If we were to tighten inspection further, it would be difficult to offer this product at the current price.Minor dents or color irregularities are considered part of each piece’s unique character.We hope you will enjoy and cherish the individuality of "Kyutarou BLUE" and the wooden tableware.
*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 expression in the blue color and wood grain.This is proof of the natural wood material.Each piece has its own personality, and no two are exactly alike.We hope you enjoy your own unique "Kyutarou BLUE."