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GATOMIKIO

TSUMUGI Matcha Container Hira-natsume

TSUMUGI Matcha Container Hira-natsume

$359.00 USD
$359.00 USD
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Only 2 left in stock

TSUMUGI Matcha Container Hira-natsume by GATOMIKIO is a contemporary tea utensil shaped by quiet restraint and deep respect for the tea ceremony. Designed to hold matcha with composure, its low and balanced form reflects the calm rhythm of tea preparation while allowing the material itself to speak. The softly rounded silhouette and matte black finish create a sense of visual stillness, emphasizing proportion over ornament. Crafted through refined woodturning techniques rooted in Yamanaka craftsmanship, the container feels grounded in the hand and deliberate in use. Tradition is not reproduced here as decoration, but reinterpreted through modern clarity and precision. By removing excess, the form invites focus on the act of tea itself. This piece is intended not only as a functional utensil, but as a vessel that quietly deepens the experience and meaning of tea practice over time.

Detail

Size: W 3.1in x L 3.1in x H 2.2in / W 7.8cm x L 7.8cm x H 5.7cm
Material: Zelkova
Coating: Urethane

Due to handmade woodworking and material characteristics, each product has subtle variations in size, shape, texture, and appearance.

Care ＆ Use

  • Avoid direct sunlight, excessive humidity, or extremely dry conditions, as these may cause warping, cracking, or fading.
  • Avoid sudden temperature changes and prolonged exposure to heat sources.
  • Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth. If necessary, use a lightly dampened cloth and dry thoroughly immediately after.
  • Do not soak in water.
  • Do not use dishwashers, dish dryers, microwave ovens, or ovens.
  • Avoid abrasive sponges, scouring powders, alcohol, or chemical cleaners, as these may damage the surface finish.
    Ensure the item is completely dry before storage.
  • Store in a well ventilated area away from direct heat.
  • Over time, subtle changes in tone or sheen may occur. This natural aging does not affect functionality and reflects the character of the material.
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The quiet precision of Yamanaka woodturning

In the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture, the hot spring town of Yamanaka Onsen has cultivated one of Japan’s most sophisticated woodturning traditions. For over four centuries, artisans here—known as kiji-shi—have specialized in forming the wooden cores used in lacquerware. What sets Yamanaka apart is its use of tategidori, a vertical-grain cutting technique that produces durable, visually striking forms, along with hikimono (lathe-turned objects) that require exceptional control and intuition.

A hallmark of this craft is kashokubiki, or decorative lathe carving. Using chisels against spinning wood, artisans etch fine surface patterns that enrich both the tactile experience and visual depth of each piece. Techniques include sensuji (thousand-stripe lines), arasuji (bold grooves), and itomesuji (thread-like stripes), among others—each expressing the rhythm and skill of the turner. Once hidden beneath lacquer, these carvings are now often revealed as a quiet testament to craftsmanship. Yamanaka woodturning remains a masterclass in restraint, materiality, and enduring elegance.

Brand History

GATOMIKIO is a contemporary tableware brand rooted in the legacy of Gato Mokkousho (Gato Woodworks), a woodturning workshop founded in 1908 in Yamanaka Onsen by master craftsman Mikio Gato. Established in Japan’s most renowned lacquerware region, the studio has long specialized in shaping kiji—the turned wooden forms that serve as the foundation of fine lacquerware.

Today, GATOMIKIO builds on this heritage with a vision attuned to contemporary life. The brand’s minimalist wooden vessels are not hidden beneath layers of decoration, but designed to be seen, touched, and used. Each piece is made from carefully selected domestic hardwoods and finished using fuki-urushi, a traditional method in which natural lacquer is repeatedly applied and wiped away to highlight the wood’s grain with a clear, subtle luster.

Blending precision turning with timeless materials, GATOMIKIO creates tableware that is both grounded and refined—objects that speak softly, age beautifully, and bring the quiet strength of generational craft into the everyday.