Wakasa-Nuri Square Ivy Scrollwork Chopsticks (Engravable)
The natural wood grain is beautifully accented with a single karakusa (arabesque) motif that catches the eye. The design is carved into the wood, giving it a distinctive three-dimensional texture. The karakusa pattern symbolizes prosperity and longevity, as it represents strong, uninterrupted growth.
About the Material – Ebony
Ebony has a beautiful black and brown striped pattern, with striped ebony being the most common variety. Known for its durability and excellent preservation properties, ebony develops a unique gloss as it is polished. In the past, it was considered the entry point for high-quality wooden chopsticks, though it has become increasingly difficult to obtain. Its hard wood makes it ideal for creating fine tips and angular shapes, making it a perfect material for practical chopsticks. Available in various shapes, it is an outstanding material representing high-quality wooden chopsticks.
About the Material – Rosewood
Rosewood is one of the most popular materials for women’s chopsticks. It has a lustrous, bright reddish hue, and depending on the specific wood, it may show shades of reddish-purple or even purple, with striking patterns in dark red, purple, and black. Rosewood is regarded as one of the three main hardwoods, and its beauty, color, and exceptional resistance to decay have made it highly valued in craftsmanship for centuries. Among the varieties, “true rosewood” and “red rosewood” are especially prized for their ability to change into a sophisticated blackish-purple color over time, making them rare and highly valued luxury materials. Recently, true rosewood has become increasingly difficult to acquire, and in many cases, African Pau Rosa is now used as a substitute for rosewood.
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.