PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This listing is for a beautifully handcrafted oval shaped Japanese bento box made with Akita-sugi cedar using the traditional magewappa crafting technique.
Size: 19X12X6cm (650 ml)
*Comes with a durable elastic band of a colour of your choice!
**Engrave your names or messages to make the perfect, unique, personalized gift! Remind your loved ones how you love them as they enjoy the healthy meals prepared by you. : ]
***NOTE: Please specific on check-out what and where you want to engrave on the item. I will communicate that to the artisan located in Japan. Please allow a longer period of processing time (appro. 2-3 weeks) for the items with engraved messages.
ABOUT JAPANESE WOODEN LUNCH BOXES
The origin of bento can be traced back to the late Kamakura Period (1185 to 1333), when cooked and dried rice called hoshi-ii ("dried meal") was developed. Hoshi-ii can be eaten as is or boiled with water to make cooked rice, and is stored in a small bag. In the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568 to 1600), wooden boxes like today's were produced and bento would be eaten during a hanami or a tea party, and is a central piece of festive events and ceremonies.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
ABOUT AKITA-SUGI CEDAR
Akita-sugi cedar is considered one of the three major natural wood in Japan along with Aomori Hiba cypress and Kiso Hinoki cypress.
Though cedar grows widely and almost anywhere in Japan, Akita is the northern limit of its habitat distribution. Grown in the northern limit means it grows the most slowly, resulting in even and dense age rings and elegantly light coloring. This specific cedar is a very unique species and cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Akita, located on the north-western shore of Japan, facing sea of Japan, is known for its heavy snowfalls and low temperature. Woods grown in this region have high shade tolerance as the amount of sunlight is limited specially during winter. Also, the high precipitation of the region provides enough water for the wood to produce the smooth surface and pliant nature. The local premium grade specialty product ‘Mage-wappa’ (bent woodware) can only be made with this elasticity.
The other, but an integral characteristics of this wood is its spicy yet pleasing aroma like nothing else. A recent research revealed that the essence of this aroma has antiseptic effect as well as relaxing and healing qualities.
ABOUT MAGEWAPPA
Magewappa is a traditional craftwork that has been made for about four hundred years in Odate city (Akita prefecture), which is located at the east end of Shirakami Mountains (World National Heritage), and is also known as one of the most famous cedar growing districts in Japan.
Trays, lunch boxes, “sushi-bachi” (plates), steamers, salad bowls, and many more are made by thinly shaving Japanese cedars, which have perfect straight grains. Then, the shavings are boiled, bent, and tied up with bark from cherry blossoms. Recently, ice pails and Japanese sake bottles are being produced from these cedars with beautiful grains. The curves of the products, which make the grains more noticeable, truly define art.
Since Magewappa barely has any topcoat, it cannot be placed in the water for a prolonged period of time. However, it is very lightweight and its faint aroma perfectly complements food especially Japanese cuisine. It especially brings great ambiance when used to present sushi.
