MARUNAO
They manufacture octagonal chopsticks made of ebony and other hard woods and cut them into an octagonal shape right down to the chopstick tips for ease of picking them up, comfort in holding them, and a pleasant feel in the mouth.
The process begins with the natural drying of wood that has lived for hundreds of years in tropical regions over a period of several months to several years.
The tips of the chopsticks, made by cutting and polishing, are shaved into an octagonal shape with a diameter of approximately 1.5 mm, producing Marunao's products with a sense of tension, with an unlimited focus on finger feel and the pursuit of good mouth feel.
Combining craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, Marunao has introduced to the world original products that have never existed before, such as cutlery and cups, in addition to chopsticks.
MARUNAO began in 1939 as a decorative sculptor for shrines and temples.
Naoyoshi, the company's founder, was an engraver, and succeeded in dramatically increasing the mass production of the sumitsubo tsubo wheel, one of the three sacred tools of carpentry, by converting it to an electric motor.
The company then began to manufacture carpentry tools, starting from the traditional techniques of carving.
From the second generation, the company continued to manufacture carpentry tools made of wood and then plastic. However, with the decline in construction demand and changes in construction methods, demand stagnated, forcing the company to start a new business.
In 2003, the third generation began producing octagonal chopsticks with an emphasis on mouth feel, even to the chopstick tips, utilizing knowledge and processing techniques backed up by experience in handling ebony. MARUNAO's chopsticks, which emphasize functionality and a pleasant feel to the mouth not found in conventional chopsticks, have come to be recognized both domestically and internationally as a brand of tableware known by those in the know.
The Tsubame-Sanjo area of Niigata Prefecture is a fertile land and a center of high-precision metalworking.
Sanjo, in particular, began with the manufacture of Japanese nails, then agricultural tools and cutlery, and finally, the manufacture of utensil craftsmen's tools flourished. Today, Sanjo is known as a manufacturing town for kitchenware, carpentry tools, gardening tools, camping equipment, livingware, and more.
Marnao's headquarters, which includes a factory and store, is located in the Echigo Plain overlooking Mount Yahiko.
Surrounded by forests, the head office is located in front of a rich countryside where you can experience the four seasons while making products.
Reddot award 2017: Wakisashi