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Overview:
Isuke, an old lacquerware store in Kyoto has designed a new minimalist dish set for modern tables based on the traditional design of “oryoki”.
Why we love this project
- 5-dish set that can be stored in the space taken by a standard cereal bowl
- Great-looking colors that fit in on a modern table
- All natural “urushi” lacquer coating
- Base material made from sustainable “mokufun” wood powder and resin
- 100% made in Japan
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This product is not yet in production, and needs to raise funds first in order to become a reality. Suppor on Kickstarter now！
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What is an “oryoki”?
An “oryoki” is a traditional set of dishes used by zen monks in Japan to eat meals. Designed to be simple and compact, each dish fits inside the next, stacking like a Russian Matryoshka doll (which some say was actually originally inspired by oryoki.)
Traditional oryoki are made from wood coated with natural “urushi” lacquer, and are therefore quite expensive, typically selling for several hundred dollars.
This project aims to offer people around the world a high-quality lacquerware oryoki set with modern design and colors at an affordable price.
Uses for oryoki
These oryoki can be used in so many different ways!
The largest bowl works great for cereal, ramen, donburi, or pasta. The medium bowls work for rice, soup, yogurt, ice cream, or pretty much anything else you’d put in a bowl. The smallest dish can be used as a drinking cup, or as a small dish for serving pickles, sauce, or a small side dish. The plate is small, but perfect for a variety of side dishes.
The best thing is, the bowls can fit into a single, compact package, making them perfect for people who don’t have a lot of space, or who just like to keep their dishes tidy.
About the maker
We are working with Isuke Shoten, a lacquerware company from Kyoto with a history going back to 1830. Isuke started as a seller of raw materials used to make lacquerware, but eventually began make their own lacquerware products. Today, they make a wide variety of lacquerware items that they sell in their store in Kyoto.
How they’re made
Although some modern techniques and machinery are utilized to make these oryoki, they will be made by hand.
First, the base material is made from eco-friendly wood powder (a by-product from the production of other wooded products) and resin. The material is an affordable alternative to wood, but retains a more solid feel than plastic. This “mokufun” material is heated and compressed to the proper shape using some old casting molds that have been sitting unused for years.
This will be coated with traditional and natural “urushi” lacquer colored with bright pigments that will give the set a modern look while retaining the luxurious feeling of real lacquerware. Lacquerware is durable and naturally germ-killing, making it a favorite for Japanese dishware going back more than 1,000 years. (You learn more about lacquer and its desirable properties here)