Chopsticks are used every day. Since they are one of the most important tools for bringing food to the mouth, many people are probably particular about the materials and workmanship of their chopsticks.
Edo wooden chopsticks are produced in Hikifune, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, by Daikokuya, a company that has been producing wooden chopsticks using craftsmanship that has been handed down since the Edo period.
Here we introduce the process of making such “Edo wooden chopsticks,” the types of chopsticks, and the commitment and thoughts of the craftsmen who make them.
What are Edo wooden chopsticks?
Edo wooden chopsticks are chopsticks made from carefully selected ebony, ebony and ironwood, which are called “famous woods” and are produced by taking advantage of the quality of the materials themselves.
Katsuhiko Takeda, founder of Daikokuya, named these chopsticks “Edo wooden chopsticks” in 1999 to distinguish them from other chopsticks, and registered the name as a trademark.
How Edo wooden chopsticks are made
The process of making Edo wooden chopsticks is as follows.
- Lumbering (splitting into small pieces)
- Roughing and Scratch Removal Process
- Hanging the chopsticks on a gara (wooden frame)
- Painting
Let’s take a look at the details.
1. lumber sawing
The well-dried lumber is sawn into tapered planks (plank splits), and then the planks are sawn into bars (splits).
The split pieces are then dried for several months.
Roughing and Scratch Removal Process
Using several different types of sandpaper with different degrees of roughness, the splintered wood is shaved into various shapes (laminated, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, etc.).
All shaving is done by the craftsman’s sense alone.
3. gara-kake
Chopsticks of approximately 200 to 400 pairs are placed from both sides into a rubber band that is almost as wide as the length of the chopsticks, with no gaps between the two pairs.
The chopsticks are then placed in a machine called a “gara” and filled with river sand, which is then dipped in water to prevent it from spilling out. The principle is that the chopsticks rub against each other and the surface becomes smooth.
The machine may be called “gara” because of the sound of the chopsticks rattling against each other. After the “gara” is applied, the sand is laid out on a colander and left to dry in the sun for a day.
4. painting
The lacquer is rubbed on the surface of the wood to bring out the texture of the wood and to make it water-resistant. Another feature of uri-urushi is that it is easy to reapply.
(*Suri-urushi is a technique in which lacquer is applied to the wood, wiped off with Japanese paper, and allowed to dry for several days.)
A wide variety of Edo wooden chopsticks!
Daikokuya has over 200 types of Edo wooden chopsticks.
Based on the concept of chopsticks that are “easy to grip and pick up,” we offer a wide variety of chopsticks for various uses, from standard pentagonal and heptagonal chopsticks to “tofu chopsticks,” “natto chopsticks,” “egg rice chopsticks,” and more.
Among them, heptagonal chopsticks have been certified as “The Wonder 500” and are used by many fans.
We also have chopsticks made of rare materials such as blue ebony, redwood ebony, mahogany, and snakewood to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
Upcycled products
Daikokuya also makes use of scrap wood to create upcycled products from the perspective of SGDs.
Upcycled products are made from chopstick scraps, bends, and missing wood grain that cannot be used for regular products, and are transformed into new limited edition products through the skills of our craftsmen.
We will continue to produce these products with the desire to conserve our limited and precious resources.
Products with a number in the product name will be delivered with the actual item in the picture.
(This is because we use wood with characteristic color and grain.)
Source: Daikokuya (stores.jp)
What is the right chopstick for you?
What kind of chopsticks are the right ones for you?
I think it should be chopsticks that are easy to grip and pick up.
Chopsticks are an important tool for carrying food to the mouth, which is indispensable for daily life.
The length, thickness, weight, grip, and even the material itself will increase your choices, and depending on the design, your favorite chopsticks will become your favorite chopsticks.
Although there are only two chopsticks, they are versatile utensils that work like five fingers.
If you are looking for a pair of chopsticks that you can use for many years to come, you may be able to find it with Edo wooden chopsticks.
Introduction of Daikokuya
Introducing Daikokuya, which has been producing and selling “Edo wooden chopsticks” in Sumida-ku, Tokyo for many years.
| Name of store | Daikokuya Ltd. |
| Address | 2-3-6 Higashimukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo |
| Telephone number | 03-3611-0163 |
| Business hours | 10:00-17:00 (Closed on Sundays, national holidays, and the second and third Saturdays of the month) |
| Closed | 2nd and 3rd Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays |
| Access | 3 minutes on foot from Tobu Tikifune 10 minutes on foot from Keisei Hikifune 5 minutes from Mukojima Exit of Metropolitan Expressway No. 6 |
We are sure that you will experience the magnificence of Edo wooden chopsticks.
Please stop by when you are in the neighborhood.
The producer’s thoughts and commitment
The most important part of a chopstick is called the “kuida-isun,” which is about 3 cm from the tip.
Edo wooden chopsticks are made of carefully selected materials and are thin and balanced so that the tip of the chopstick fits snugly.
Therefore, it is easy to grasp food and less uncomfortable to touch the lips.
Each chopstick is carefully crafted with the desire to “let people enjoy delicious food with the warmth of Edo wooden chopsticks.
About repair and maintenance of chopsticks
Daikokuya accepts repairs and maintenance of your favorite chopsticks.
We do this because we want to be responsible for the final product because it is made by hand.
If the chopsticks are broken, the length of the chopsticks will be shortened in order to make the chopsticks uniform, but the surface of the chopsticks will be lightly shaved and finished with a beautiful finish.
It takes about three and a half months for the repair, but if you are using your favorite chopsticks, why not try to maintain them?
Conclusion
Edo wooden chopsticks are carefully produced one by one, utilizing the qualities of carefully selected fine wood materials themselves, and we offer a large variety of chopsticks in four-way, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, round, and koban shapes, as well as many other types of chopsticks for different uses.
However, just as each person’s face is different, so is the size and feel of each person’s hands.
Therefore, there is an immeasurable charm hidden in Edo wooden chopsticks that allows you to choose from a large selection of chopsticks that will fit your hand perfectly.
Since chopsticks are important for daily use, we hope you will find the chopsticks that fit your hands perfectly by actually seeing and touching them.
We sincerely hope that using your favorite Edo wooden chopsticks will make every meal even more delicious and enjoyable.
