[The Warmth of Wood and Winter Living]
In this season of deepening cold, a quiet winter landscape unfolds in Hokkaido, home to our Otaru Showroom. The entire area is covered in pure white snow, so much so that the sight of bare concrete ground starts to feel like a distant memory.
Recently, seeing news reports announcing the arrival of the exam season, I suddenly recalled a teacher's words of encouragement from my student days: “Touch wood.” I remember being taught that “Touch wood” is a phrase used in British English to ward off bad luck and wish for good fortune. While it literally means to touch a tree or piece of timber, it is rooted in the belief that touching wood offers protection through the power of nature. This casual phrase carries a heartfelt wish for someone's safety and success.
In addition to its role as a lucky charm, recent research has shown that the scent and texture of wood have various positive effects on our minds and bodies. Smelling or touching wood can calm the heart rate and blood pressure, relaxing both mind and body. Because wood has a moderate softness and is a material that does not easily strip the body of its heat, it provides a sense of warmth and healing.
The Otaru Showroom features many products that allow you to feel this natural warmth. The wooden bowls from “Sonobe Sangyo” are masterpieces carefully finished by craftsmen at their factory in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, from wood selection and shaping to coating. The smooth texture, which makes you want to keep touching it, and the charming, rounded shape bring peace of mind. These bowls make the dining table a richer and more enjoyable place. Finished with a urethane coating, they can be used daily without hesitation and can be cleaned with a sponge and dish soap. Since the color, grain, and hardness vary depending on the type of wood, you may find yourself wanting to collect several varieties. We also carry the thick “Pomme” bowls, which have a substantial, natural weight and look wonderful on Western-style tables.
Additionally, the jam and butter dishes from “Kiyakamino,” turned on a lathe in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture, are perfectly sized not only for jams but also for use as condiment dishes. Beyond food, they serve beautifully as accessory trays; their versatile beauty is their charm. Unlike mass-produced colorful plastic items, their presence blends seamlessly into any interior, making them a well-received gift.
A very useful tool for scooping jam is the jam spoon made by “Okubo House Mokkosha” in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. With its spatula-like shape, it can scoop up the jam remaining at the bottom of a jar without any stress. Since it is meticulously carved with a plane, the surface is silky smooth. In addition to jam, it is versatile enough for use with paste-like seasonings and sauces.
Another joy of products made from natural wood is watching them change over time as the seasons pass. Please visit the Otaru Showroom to see these products, full of wooden warmth that enrich your dining table and daily life.
Sonobe Sangyo's Meibokuwan
https://www.shokunin.com/en/sonobe/wan.html
Sonobe Sangyo's Pomme
https://www.shokunin.com/en/sonobe/pomme.html
Kiya Kamino's Jam & Butter Plate
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kiyakamino/jambutter.html
Okubo House Mokkosha's Jam Spoon
https://www.shokunin.com/en/okubo/jam.html
Otaru Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/otaru.html
References
https://www.shinrin-ringyou.com/mokuzai_jyu/ki_iyashi.php
https://www.pref.wakayama.lg.jp/prefg/070600/kisyuzai/mokuzai_tokusei.html
