Introducing "KyutarouBlue," a series of blue wooden tableware, available in two styles: a standard dark blue and a refreshing light blue.While blue and food are often considered a taboo combination, blue is actually highly compatible with food and pairs exceptionally well with Japanese cuisine and table settings.
This unique combination of wood and blue tableware brings a new sense of style and excitement to your dining table.
Located in the Kawada district of Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture.Surrounded by mountains, the Kawada district has been a production center for Echizen lacquerware for approximately 1500 years.The Kyutarou Blue series is tableware produced by "Urushi Kutarou," a company that has been engaged in the lacquerware business there.
Currently, the series is available in two colors:- Standard (std) series in dark blue- Sawayaka series in light blue
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KyutarouBlue was born from the creator's dedication.Someone once commented, "When lacquer and paint are applied all over, even an amateur can't tell if the material is wood or plastic." This comment inspired the creator to think about how to better convey the appeal of both "wood" and "lacquerware" simultaneously.
At the same time, there was a concept to create blue tableware.Why is blue tableware considered taboo?The creator was confident that it would definitely become beautiful tableware.
In the Echizen lacquerware production area, there is a technique for commercial-use lacquerware that has evolved based on traditional skills.Using these techniques and paints, they were able to achieve a unique blue color and a semi-transparent finish that highlights the wood grain.
And thus, "Kyutarou Blue" was created.
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The urethane coating developed using commercial-use lacquerware techniques is a safe and secure paint that complies with the Food Sanitation Act.It is a durable and easy-to-handle "urethane coating for tableware" with almost no deterioration over time and is easy to care for.This is finished by artisans individually spraying this coating onto natural wood vessels.
The delicate color tones are possible thanks to the artisans of Echizen.This is a carefully crafted blue that was born from repeated trial and error with the artisans.The gradation created by the translucent coating that allows the wood grain to show through is like waves.The entire piece is sharply defined with a dark blue rim.
The blue parts are finished with a semi-transparent coating, creating a gradation of wood grain.Even with the same product, the quality of the blue will vary, resulting in unique finishes such as cobalt blue or sky blue, depending on the color of the wood at the time of production.Each piece has its own distinct character, making it a truly one-of-a-kind item.
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All the wood bases are made of natural wood, making them light and giving them a warm, tactile feel.A faint scent of wood also emanates from them.Due to their high heat retention, cups and other items can be held without feeling too hot.
Another advantage of wooden tableware is that it is less likely to break if dropped.This is tableware that can be confidently recommended for small children.
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Kutarou Blue is tableware that matches both Japanese and Western styles.If you use it when entertaining guests, it will surely spark conversation.It is also versatile for various uses, such as creating an "at-home cafe" or "at-home buffet" atmosphere, or for presenting desserts.Even simply placing store-bought side dishes on them can change the mood.
They also pair excellently with outdoor settings. How about for balcony lunches, veranda dinners, or outdoor activities?Vivid colors like yellow, red, and green also match beautifully!They can be casually used with Japanese-style rooms and Japanese cuisine. They also pair very well with Japanese pottery.
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How about as a gift or present?Because they are wooden tableware, they are less likely to break, and as "something blue," they are also recommended for wedding celebrations.*Something Blue is... one of the "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" wedding traditions.It is a European charm with the wish for the bride's happiness.
They are also recommended for the 5th wedding anniversary, "Wood Anniversary."This anniversary signifies the couple putting down roots like a tree and building a family, and gifts related to wood are exchanged to celebrate.
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They are durable, so there is almost no deterioration in color even after long-term use.While they cannot be used in microwaves or dishwashers as they are wooden products, they are easy to care for.They can be washed with neutral detergent just like other tableware, so there is no special effort required.
Although the wood grain parts are coated with a transparent urethane coating and will not absorb water,to ensure longevity, please avoid soaking them in water and allow them to air dry or wipe them dry with a soft cloth.
The packaging for KyutarouBlue is gray. We sometimes receive questions asking why we don't use blue.This is because we want your eyes to be fully captivated by the "blue" that is revealed when you open the package.Therefore, the packaging is deliberately monochrome and simply unified.
---Regarding purchases, please understand the following:
Regarding dents and wood grain irregularities in the product:The production of the "Kyutarou BLUE" series begins with the inspection of the wood base received in its raw form.At this stage, items with significant dents or less aesthetically pleasing wood grain are rejected.Approximately half of the wood bases are rejected after this inspection, and the remaining half are then coated for "Kyutarou BLUE."If we were to make the inspection even stricter, we would not be able to offer the products at this price.We hope that you will embrace slight dents and color variations as individual characteristics and enjoy "Kyutarou BLUE" and "wooden tableware" casually.
Regarding the density and unevenness of the BLUE coating color:Because the "Kyutarou BLUE" series involves applying a semi-transparent paint to wood, the color of the BLUE and the expression of the wood grain will vary for each piece.This is proof that it is natural wood.Each piece has its own unique character, and no two are exactly alike.We hope you will enjoy your own unique "Kyutarou BLUE."