Woodworking Your Own Chopsticks at Mogami Kogei – with Paulownia Box

Modern and traditional: the timeless essence of Edo, distilled into Japanese craftsmanship

Kuramae is known for being a place where traditional artisans coexist with up-and-coming creators, where the beauty of the old meets the charm of the new. Here at the intersection of Kawaryu Yokocho and Kasuga-dori, woodworking studio Mogami Kogei was founded in 1912, and has worked its craft for 110 years since.

Third generation proprietor of Mogami Kogei, Yutaka Motami

Mogami Kogei is one of only about 10 Edo sashimono woodworkers remaining. At his Mokumasa-an showroom, elegant cabinets and chic vases stand among other masterworks bringing traditional beauty into modern life. See these up close alongside some of his more avant garde creations, like Edo sashimono wooden bags and neckties, fresh off their Paris Collection debut.

Edo sashimono woodworking hides the beauty of its craft in the invisible

Mogami breaks down Edo sashimono for you. The word in Japanese comes from words meaning “to join (wood),” or “(to make) using a ruler”. During the Edo period, this wood joinery was popular in home furnishings such as cabinets, shelves, and desks made for the wealthy and powerful classes such as samurai and merchants. Even the traditional dressing tables and makeup boxes used in Kabuki dressing rooms to this day are a form of it, known as “Rien Sashimono.” 

A stylish chest of drawers with elegant wood mosaic handles

Edo joinery is minimalist. Its essence lies in bringing out the natural beauty of the wood grain. Mortise-and-tenon joints give the illusion of delicacy but are sturdy in the extreme. This illusory simplicity permeates the whole art form: The more you learn, the deeper it goes and the more impressive the work becomes.

Choosing the wood for your chopsticks

The wood joiner’s workshop is a privy space redolent with the aroma of wood and oil, full of specialized tools like planes, saws, and chisels. Stepping into this secret world outside of public view, you will begin in the same way all apprentice joiners do in Japan: by learning to make chopsticks from a master joiner.

From foreground: maple, hiba cypress, ash, hinoki cypress, oak

A joiner’s work begins with wood selection. Hardwoods generally come from broad-leaf trees with tightly-packed grains like maple, ash, and oak. Softwoods tend to come from conifers like hiba and hinoki cypresses. Test the feel and scent of the wood yourself, and check the color and grain up close. Make your chopsticks from the wood that suits your preferences.

Workshop stocked with over one hundred small and large hand planers

The joy of working with your hands and user-friendly tools

After the wood is selected, the next step is to plane it repeatedly to shape the chopsticks down to a comfortable grip. Trim the corners evenly and gradually to approach an octagonal or hexagonal shape. Adjust your shaving direction or your planer in accordance with the grain of the wood. This process is far from easy, and experiencing it will give you a new appreciation for the wonders of the craft.

Planing the wood to the perfect thickness to sit naturally in your hand

The wood is reborn in color and luster under sandpaper and an oil finish. Edo sashimono is an art of solo artisans who work the entire process from beginning to end, not teams with a division of labor. The artist’s soul is in their work, so your chopsticks will truly be yours in every sense.

Perilla oil draws out the beauty of the wood grain.

Durability is sustainability with Edo sashimono.

Handmade chopsticks made by you for you are a natural fit both in handling and aesthetics. Take them home in an artisan-made sashimono box of the finest Aizu paulownia wood. The memory of this experience and your new appreciation for the craft is sure to brighten your day each time you use them.

You can also have your chopstick box engraved with Edo-style lettering (available as a paid option, with reservations required 10 days in advance). Known for its bold, strong lines, Edo lettering has been a symbol of good fortune since the Edo period (1603-1886). A personalized box with this traditional Japanese design makes for a unique keepsake.

Craft you can feel in daily use

Durability and longevity are part of the appeal of custom-made Edo sashimono. After a lifetime of use, it takes no more than a scraping of the tarnished surface and a re-application of oil or lacquer to turn your chopsticks into a 100-year family heirloom. This old-fashioned art is more important than ever in an age where sustainability is taking center stage and humans are rediscovering the importance of living in balance with our environment. Experience this profound craft for yourself at Mogami Kogei.