Fujiwara-bon is a wooden carved-ware craft that has been passed down since the Edo period in the Fujiwara district of Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, with a history of approximately 300 years. The craft that has revived this tradition is Shin Fujiwara-bon.

While inheriting the form and spirit of the original Fujiwara-bon, Shin Fujiwara-bon continues to evolve as a vessel that creates new value in everyday life, crafted with an awareness of harmony with contemporary cuisine and living spaces.

The name "Shin Fujiwara-bon" was bestowed by Kazuto Ataka — a leading thinker of modern Japan and author of Shin Nihon — carrying with it the intention not merely to preserve tradition, but to carry it forward into the future together with the people of today.

Shin Fujiwara-bon is crafted using broadleaf trees from the Fujiwara district, through the traditional process of wood selection, rough carving, finish carving, and lacquer coating.

The bold radial chisel marks carved by the craftsman — a defining characteristic of Fujiwara-bon — are carried over into Shin Fujiwara-bon as well, giving each piece a unique expression born of handcraftsmanship.

Drawing out the natural beauty of the wood while reconceiving size and purpose to suit the modern dining table, these pieces stand as vessels that unite practicality with sculptural beauty, pointing toward new possibilities for traditional crafts.

Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, where Shin Fujiwara-bon is produced, is registered as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and efforts are being made to conserve its natural environment and foster sustainable community development.

The Fujiwara district, one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan, has a long history of woodworking carried out during the agricultural off-season in winter. Shin Fujiwara-bon was born as an initiative to carry the culture of Fujiwara-bon into the present day, making full use of local timber and traditional techniques.

Activities are also being conducted to pass this culture on to the next generation, sharing the story of Fujiwara-bon and Shin Fujiwara-bon with children in the local community.