Meiboku Bowl / Zelkova

Winner of the 1996 Good Design Award and the 2021 Long Life Design Award.
This long-selling masterpiece is the embodiment of Japanese craftsmanship.

Crafted from Japanese Zelkova (Keyaki) wood sourced from natural domestic forests, each bowl is meticulously hand-carved by skilled artisans in Odawara after being seasoned and dried for approximately six months. The artisans even hand-forge the very blades they use for carving, ensuring that every product is infused with their heart and soul, without compromise.

For the finish, we use a safe urethane coating—the same high standard used for Japanese school lunch bowls. You can enjoy the unique texture and natural grain of each piece, as no two bowls are ever exactly alike.

This generous vessel beautifully complements any dish, including Western cuisine. With its compact size, it is perfect for any occasion—whether as a rice bowl, a yogurt bowl, or a nut bowl. Feel free to use it however you like.

S：Width 10.5cm / Depth 10.5cm / Height 6cm / Weight 100g
M：Width 11.5cm / Depth 11.5cm / Height 6.8cm / Weight 165g
L：Width 13cm / Depth 13cm / Height 7.4cm / Weight 175g
XL：Width 14cm / Depth 14cm / Height 8cm / Weight 250g
2XL：Width 15cm / Depth 15cm / Height 8.5cm / Weight 300g

Zelkova

STUDIO SONOBE

"A true master is born only when they can craft their own tools."

Inside the Sonobe Sangyo workshop, there are as many "unique, singular tools" as there are artisans—instruments shaped to fit one hand and one hand only. Before they ever touch the wood, they forge the steel and hone the blades of the tools they will use.

ARTISAN STORY

At Sonobe Sangyo, the art of creation begins with "patience." Each piece of wood is seasoned naturally for over eight months, allowing it to settle before the transformation begins. Under the skilled hands of veteran artisans, life is breathed into the timber as it is meticulously shaped, moistened by the pure spring waters of the local Sakawa River.

"We refuse to waste a single sliver of wood that took decades to grow."
This philosophy is the heartbeat of their workshop. From the finished vessel to the smallest wood chip repurposed as fuel, their commitment to a zero-waste, circular process reflects a profound respect for the forest.

With the motto "Making a delightful table even more delightful," Sonobe Sangyo creates original designs that bridge tradition and modern life. These are more than just utensils; they are soulful companions that bring the gentle warmth of nature into your hands, staying close to your heart for a lifetime.

ODAWARA SHIKKI / ODAWARA LACQUERWARE

About 600 years ago / 1400s / Muromachi Period (1336–1573)

Odawara lacquerware developed around the Muromachi period in a region rich in timber from Hakone and the Tanzawa mountains. Woodturners became active in the castle town under the Hojo, and during the Edo period bowls and trays finished with lacquer were sold to travelers along the Tokaido road.

In Japan, Odawara ware is appreciated for finishes such as suri-urushi that reveal rather than hide the grain. It is less about elaborate decoration than allowing the wood itself to remain visible, making simple bowls, trays and plates particularly suited to contemporary tables.

Woods such as zelkova are turned thinly on a lathe and lacquer is worked into the surface rather than built up as an opaque coating. Every object therefore carries a different natural pattern. The grain itself becomes the picture the craftsperson chooses to frame.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.