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 the unprecedented pairing of wood and blue, bring a new sense of style and excitement to your dining experience.
Location: Kawada District, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture.The Kawada District, surrounded by mountains, has been a production area for Echizen lacquerware for approximately 1,500 years.The Kyutarou Blue series is crafted by "Lacquerware Kyuutarou," a company with a long history of lacquerware craftsmanship in that region.
Currently, the series is available in two colors:- The dark blue standard (std) series- The light blue refresh series
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KyutarouBlue is a product born from the maker’s particular commitment.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 considered taboo for tableware?We were confident that it would become absolutely wonderful tableware.
In the Echizen lacquerware production area, there exists技術 for commercial lacquerware that has developed based on traditional techniques.Using that技術 and paints, we were able to develop a carefully chosen blue color and apply a semi-transparent coating that highlights the wood grain.
This is how "Kyuutaoru Blue" was created.
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The urethane paint used exclusively for tableware, developed with技術 from commercial lacquerware, is safe and compliant with the Food Sanitation Law.It is a durable, easy-to-maintain urethane coating for tableware that shows almost no aging deterioration.Each piece is finished by craftsmen who spray it onto natural wood utensils using技術, ensuring high quality.
The delicate color tones are achievable thanks to Echizen craftsmen.The blue color, born from repeated trial and error with craftsmen, features a gradient that resembles waves, created by the透かし (see-through) application of the paint.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 the same product can vary in hue—ranging from cobalt blue to sky blue—depending on the color of the wood at the time of manufacture, giving each item its unique character.Each piece has a different face, making it a one-of-a-kind item for its owner.
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All wooden parts are made from natural wood, lightweight, and have a warm, tactile feel.A faint aroma of wood also emanates from the items.Thanks to high heat retention, cups can be held with bare hands without feeling hot.
As wooden tableware, they are less likely to break if dropped.This makes them confidently recommended 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 store-bought side dishes on it can change the atmosphere.
It pairs excellently with outdoor settings—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 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, making it suitable as a "Something Blue" gift for weddings.*What is "Something Blue"?*It is one of the traditional good luck charms (Something Four) for weddings, symbolizing happiness for the bride. It is a European superstition wishing the bride good fortune.
It is also recommended for celebrating the 5th wedding anniversary, known as the "Wooden Wedding."This anniversary symbolizes a 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 fade over time.As it is made of wood, it cannot be used in microwave ovens or dishwashers, but maintenance is simple.Wash with neutral detergent just like other tableware—no special care required.
The wood grain area is coated with a transparent urethane layer, preventing water absorption.To prolong its life, avoid soaking in water; instead, dry naturally or wipe gently with a soft cloth.
The packaging of KyutarouBlue 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 it.Therefore, the packaging is intentionally monochrome and simple in design.
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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.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 at this price point.Small dents or color irregularities are considered part of each piece’s unique character. We hope you will enjoy and cherish the "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 alike.We hope you enjoy your own unique "Kyutarou BLUE."