Wakasa Lacquerware Chopsticks - Checkered Pattern Design

The pentagonal shape of these chopsticks provides excellent stability in your hand, and the five-sided design extends to the tips, making them easy to use even without a non-slip finish. The pattern on the handle is known as ichimatsu, an enduringly popular design historically associated with meanings such as "prosperity," "eternity," and "progress."

Crafted in Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture, these chopsticks seamlessly combine elegant design with practicality, making them a popular choice for both personal use and gifting.

About the Production Area: Wakasa Lacquerware

Obama City, located in Fukui Prefecture, is a major production hub for chopsticks, accounting for nearly 90% of Japan's chopstick production. The origins of Wakasa lacquerware can be traced back to the early Edo period when artisans from the Obama domain began crafting designs inspired by the seafloor.

These chopsticks, made using materials such as eggshells, mother-of-pearl, pine needles, and rapeseed, depict mystical seafloor scenes. Layers of colored lacquer and gold leaf are applied and finished with additional coats of lacquer, resulting in a durable and refined product.

The chopstick tips, known as Tsuruno Kuchibashi ("crane's beak"), are designed to easily pick up even small items and are also considered a symbol of longevity. These chopsticks are not only beautiful but also safe and reliable for everyday use.