It is a wooden bowl, beautifully rounded and calming down the dining table.
The producer of these wooden bowls is Sonobe Sangyo, who manufactures based on "Odawara Wooden Products," which is a local industry in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Each wooden bowl takes several months to complete, and craftsmen of Sonobe Sangyo go through the entire procedure of selecting the wood, drying the wood, forming using potter's wheel, and finishing with paint.
As it is made of wood, one of its features is the soft-touch that the lip of these bowls has. Another characteristic is that the bowls match with any kind of dish, whether it is a western or an eastern dish.
The Meibokuwan series is a longtime seller, which received the Good Design Award in 1996 and has been supported for more than 20 years.
Odawara Woodenware
As the neighboring Izu and Hakone contained rich nature within the regions, production utilizing wood as material prospered in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
In the Edo period, woodenware made at Odawara became popular among travelers traveling Hakone and Tokaido.
The popularity showed no signs of slowing down, and even during the post-war period, the woodenware utilizing high-quality wood and technology was highly regarded, exporting salad bowls abroad.
Even today, the high-quality wooden materials and technology are surely handed down.
Cherry
Cherry, beloved by Japanese. The fine and shiny qualities of the material are some of the characteristics of cherry. While the material is also strong, and thus, the cherry bowl is also solid.
Zelkova
Zelkova, a precious wood familiar to Japanese. Its hard, strong, and reliable qualities are some of the material's characteristics. Traditional vessels, such as bowls and trays have frequently used zelkova as their material, making use of its features. It is a material suitable for making bowls.
Beech
A beech tree grows naturally in various places around Japan since ancient times. Dressed in fresh green leaves during summer and bears acorns during fall. The vessel made of a beech tree, which is characterized by its white, refreshing bark, appears simple and feels natural.
Chestnut
A chestnut tree has been deeply related to the lifestyle of the Japanese since ancient times. As it is heavy, hard, and sticky, resistant to water, it truly plays a thankless but vital role in Japanese society. Solid beams, pillars, and railroad ties are all made of chestnut trees. It produces a very enjoyable grain that appears in cream color, just like the chestnuts, which surely looks tasty.
Walnut
Japanese walnut appears a little more simple compared to the walnut tree used for western furniture. The deep and unique color, dimly purplish and smokey in appearance, produces a very elegant and refined impression in contrast to precise, lustrous grain with shades.
Oak
Oak has been used as materials for furniture and casks for liquor in the West. Japanese oaks are characterized by their solid and heavy material. It perfectly plays its role even as a vessel on top of the dining table. If cherry is feminine, Japanese oak may be masculine.
Today, I received the bowl. It is beautiful! Thanks.
C.H. from Belgium
Thank you once again for another fantastic order. I am so grateful for how perfectly packaged the items are and this time, for also gift wrapping each one so beautifully. Every item was a thank you gift for my childrens' teachers who were so delighted to receive such beautiful items from Japan. The Azmaya chopstick rests are so classy. The design is simple yet striking and the packaging makes for a beautifully presented gift. I am a HUGE admirer of Sonobe Sangyo and have a collection of Meibokuwan so you know I absolutely adore those bowls. The Risu bowl is also another beautiful work of art while still being an item that can be used everyday to bring you joy.
Thank you so much Shinya. I will always be a loyal customer because I love your store, your dedication and pride in your work and your desire to bring beauty to the world. I follow your facebook and it is always such a joy to read your posts about the items and any related history and even recipes. The time you take to provide so much information is really appreciated. I hope to visit your store in person one day! With 3 young children, I don't know when that will be!
Wishing you and your staff at Shokunin.com a very merry Christmas and an abundance of love, joy and peace in the new year.
W.T. from Australia
Thank you for such care in packing the Items. All arrived beautifully and I am delighted to have the pieces in my Home. Each piece evokes such warmth and craftsmanship. Looking forward to purchasing from you again. Hope I can get your Towel Hooks as they look very streamlined in the future!
A.S. from USA
I have this!! It is the perfect rice bowl and for a big bowl of soup. We use it every night (3L for my husband and L for me). The bowl never gets hot and what's inside stays hot for longer than any non wooden bowl. I'm really happy you are stocking the 3L bowls.
W.T. from Australia
Everything is wonderful - great for use but also very beautifully made. Very happy with the order.
A.M. from Belgium
This item is usually shipped in 3 business days. We will inform you of the estimated shipping date if shipping is delayed due to a shortage.
*Due to the nature of the material, it may be slightly deformed depending on the usage method, environment, and period of time. In addition, you may initially feel the strong scent that wood such as zelkova originally has, but as the years go by, it will fade away and eventually you will not notice it. We hope you will understand that this is a natural aroma.
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Cherry S
As it is recommended as the first vessel for children, it is truly suitable as a gift for celebrating births. Suitable for light breakfast and midnight snacks.
Size: About Ø10.5xH6cm
Material: Cherry (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 3,300 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Zelkova S
Size: About Ø10.5xH6cm
Material: Zelkova (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 3,500 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Beech S
Size: About Ø10.5xH6cm
Material: Beech (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 3,300 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Cherry M
Please use them as vessels for miso soups and other soups at your everyday dining table. One can feel the warmth that the wood produces through its gentle and soft roundness.
Size: About Ø11.5xH6.8cm
Material: Cherry (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 4,300 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Zelkova M
Size: About Ø11.5xH6.8cm
Material: Zelkova (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 4,000 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Beech M
Size: About Ø11.5xH6.8cm
Material: Beech (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 4,300 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Chestnut
M
Size: About Ø11.5xH6.8cm
Material: Chestnut (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 4,300 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Walnut
M
Size: About Ø11.5xH6.8cm
Material: Walnut (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 4,300 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Oak M
Size: About Ø11.5xH6.8cm
Material: Oak (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 4,300 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Cherry L
L size recommended for soup plenty in size and ingredients. Popular among men users as well.
Size: About Ø13xH7.4cm
Material: Cherry (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 5,000 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Zelkova L
Size: About Ø13xH7.4cm
Material: Zelkova (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 5,000 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Meibokuwan Beech L
Size: About Ø13xH7.4cm
Material: Beech (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
The 3L, about two sizes larger than the L, is recommended for rice bowls and soups with lots of ingredients such as pot-au-feu. For the convenience of notation in foreign languages, the 3L size box is marked "LL." Video
Size: About Ø15xH8.7cm
Material: Zelkova (Japan), Urethane Coating
Unavailable: Open Flame, Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Bleach
Price: 7,500 JPY
Sonobe Sangyo
Founded in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1949. Due to their performance of exporting many wooden salad bowls to Europe, they have received a certificate from the Japanese government, which highly evaluates their contribution to the Japanese trade and industry, for 6 years in a row since 1965. They have been manufacturing simple and strong tablewares.
