Blue × Wood: Introducing "KyutarouBlue," a series of blue wooden tableware available in two variations: the deep blue "Standard" and the light blue "Sou."
While blue is often considered a taboo color in the culinary world, it actually has a high affinity with food. It pairs exceptionally well with Japanese dining tables and ingredients.
This unprecedented combination of wood and blue brings a new sense of style and excitement to your dining table.
Kawada District, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture.Surrounded by mountains, the Kawada district is a production center for Echizen lacquerware with a history spanning approximately 1,500 years. The KyutarouBlue series is crafted by "Shikki Kyutarou," a lacquerware business established in this region.
The series is currently available in two colors:* **Standard (std):** A deep blue.* **Sou:** A light blue.
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KyutarouBlue was born from the creator's particular vision.After being told by someone that "when lacquer or paint covers the entire surface, an amateur cannot tell if the material is wood or plastic," the creator began thinking of ways to more clearly convey the charm of both "wood" and "lacquerware" simultaneously.
At the same time, there was a concept to create blue vessels.Why is blue tableware considered taboo?The creator felt confident that it would result in wonderful tableware.
The Echizen lacquerware region possesses industrial lacquerware techniques developed from traditional skills. Using these techniques and specific paints, they achieved a translucent finish that highlights the wood grain in a carefully selected shade of blue.
The result was "KyutarouBlue."
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The urethane paint developed specifically for tableware using industrial lacquerware technology is safe and secure, clearing the Food Sanitation Act. This "tableware urethane paint" is durable, easy to handle, and shows almost no deterioration over time. It is finished by craftsmen who spray each natural wood vessel one by one.
The delicate hues are only possible because of the Echizen craftsmen. This specific blue was born from repeated trial and error with these artisans. The gradation created by the translucent coating over the wood grain resembles waves. The edges are framed in deep blue to give the overall piece a sharp, refined look.
Because the blue portion is a translucent coating, a gradation of the wood grain appears. Even within the same product line, the quality of the blue—ranging from cobalt blue to sky blue—finishes with rich individuality depending on the color of the wood at that time. Each piece has a different face, making it a unique item just for you.
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The base material is entirely natural wood, making it lightweight with a touch that feels the warmth of the wood. A faint scent of wood also lingers. Due to its high heat retention, items like cups are not hot to the touch even when held with both hands.
As wooden tableware, one of its advantages is that it is difficult to break even if dropped. This is tableware that can be recommended with confidence for small children.
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KyutarouBlue matches both Japanese and Western styles. Using it when entertaining guests is sure to spark conversation.
It serves various purposes—leave it to KyutarouBlue for home cafes, home buffets, or dessert presentations. Even simply placing store-bought side dishes on it will change the atmosphere.
It also pairs perfectly with the outdoors. How about for balcony lunches, veranda meals, or outdoor activities? Vivid colors like yellow, red, and green match brilliantly! It can also be used casually in Japanese-style rooms and with Japanese cuisine. It goes very well with Japanese pottery.
It is also ideal for gifts and presents. Because wooden tableware is breakable-resistant and represents "Something Blue," it is recommended for wedding celebrations.* *Something Blue:* One of the "Something Four" lucky charms for weddings. It is a European tradition wishing for the bride's happiness.
It is also recommended for "Wood Weddings" (the 5th wedding anniversary). This anniversary signifies the couple becoming a family and building a home by spreading roots like a tree, celebrated by giving wood-related gifts.
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Because it is durable, there is almost no color degradation even after long-term use. As it is a wood product, it cannot be used in microwaves or dishwashers, but maintenance is simple. It can be washed with neutral detergent just like other dishes, requiring no special effort.
The wood grain parts are also treated with a transparent urethane coating, so water will not soak in. However, to ensure longevity, please avoid soaking in water and either air dry or wipe with a soft cloth.
The KyutarouBlue package is gray. We are sometimes asked why we don't use blue. This is because we want your eyes to be completely captivated by the "blue" that emerges from inside when opened. Therefore, the package was intentionally unified in a simple, monochrome color scheme.
**Notes for Purchase:*** **Regarding dents and wood grain irregularities:**The production of the "KyutarouBLUE" series begins with inspecting the raw wood bases. At that stage, pieces with deep dents or unattractive wood grain are removed. Approximately half of the wood bases are filtered out at this point, and the remaining half are painted for "KyutarouBLUE." If inspections were made any stricter, we would be unable to provide them at this price. We hope you will enjoy "KyutarouBLUE" and "wooden vessels" casually, embracing small dents or color irregularities as the unique personality of each piece.
* **Regarding the shade and unevenness of the BLUE coating:**Because the "KyutarouBLUE" series applies translucent paint to wood, the expression of the blue color and wood grain will differ for every single piece. This is proof of natural wood. Each has its own individuality, and no two are the same. We hope you enjoy your very own "KyutarouBLUE."