These chopsticks are a masterpiece by Furukawa Katsuhiko, a master of the traditional craft of Wakasa lacquerware. Using delicate fragments of abalone shell and eggshell, Furukawa applies intricate patterns before layering gold leaf and natural lacquer over them. The result is a design that captures the quiet beauty and depth of mist dissolving into the soft light of dawn. When viewed from different angles, the surface shimmers with shifting reflections—subtle, ethereal, and alive with movement. Made from natural wood and finished with the togidashi technique, each pair is carefully polished to reveal intricate patterns beneath the lacquer’s surface. Crafted through 66 meticulous stages, it requires time and care, which is why only a limited number can be made. They rest smoothly against the lips, offering a refined feel that grows more lustrous with use as the lacquer matures. Perfect for both daily dining and special occasions, they bring an understated elegance to any table. Each pair arrives in its own handcrafted wooden box, making it a truly exceptional gift. Furukawa Katsuhiko is the fourth-generation master of Furukawa Wakasa Lacquerware Store, founded over 140 years ago in Fukui Prefecture’s Wakasa region. He carries forward the Edo period (1603–1868 CE) tradition of Wakasa lacquerware, a technique designated as a Japanese traditional craft. Known for his delicate okoshi-moyo, patterns made with shell and eggshell inlays, Furukawa builds on historical designs, reinterpreting them with a modern sensibility that speaks to contemporary Japanese aesthetics.
