• Two lacquer spoons lying parallel, bowls to the left, one dark maroon and one red, each with two gold diamonds on the handle.
  • The pair stood upright side by side, bowls at the base, maroon spoon left and red right, gold diamonds near the handle tips.
  • The maroon spoon alone on a diagonal, bowl at the lower left, two gold diamonds set near the raised tip of its handle.
  • The red spoon alone on the same diagonal, its two gold diamonds resting on a black cloud shape that tapers down the handle.
  • Close view of the red handle tip, where two gold diamonds, the smaller below the larger, sit on a black cloud shape.
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✦ One-of-a-kind Piece (Ready to ship)

Curry Spoon Set 195mm

Curry Spoon Set 195mm

€136,95 EUR
€136,95 EUR
Sale Sold out
Free shipping — all taxes and duties included (DDP). Free shipping to the UK, EU and Switzerland.

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Why this set

Curry, stew, porridge — the dishes with a bit of body are what these spoons are made for. Wood under lacquer keeps them light in the hand and easy against the lip, and they stay comfortable to hold through a full meal. A touch of gold at the handle is the one flourish on an otherwise plain shape. This is lacquerware made for regular use rather than special occasions, something to reach for most days, not only when guests are round.

The craft

Marusan Shikki is best known for Hidehira-nuri, a decorative lacquer style built on gold leaf and hand-painted motifs from Hiraizumi's Heian-era culture. That work sits at the end of each handle here: two gold diamonds laid over a black cloud motif, applied by hand. One spoon is finished in red, the other in tame, a darker translucent red.

The workshop

The workshop has worked in urushi lacquer in Ichinoseki, Iwate, since 1904 and is now run by its fifth generation. Wood-turners, undercoat specialists and lacquer painters still work together under one roof, on pieces plain and decorative alike.

What to know before you buy

As with any urushi lacquerware, wash by hand in lukewarm water with a mild detergent, and keep it away from the microwave and dishwasher. For the first two to three months, start with lukewarm rather than very hot food or drink so the lacquer settles in gradually. Dry with a soft cloth, skip long soaking, and store away from direct sunlight.

Details

Two spoons to a set. Each measures approximately 195mm, and the set weighs about 95g. In stock, and ships from Japan via DHL with tracking within about a week.

If a set built for daily use is what your kitchen needs, you can place an order below. Unsure whether it suits your cooking? Write to us; we answer every message ourselves.

Specifications

  • Category: Cutlery
  • Type: Spoon Set
  • Quantity: sold as a set of two (one red, one tame, a darker translucent red)
  • Material: Wood, urushi lacquer
  • Technique: Hidehira-nuri
  • Size: approx. 195mm (length)
  • Weight: 95g

Heritage & Credentials

Hidehira-nuri carries a documented history and an official craft designation.

  • In 1985, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry designated Hidehira-nuri itself — not any one workshop or product — a Traditional Craft (伝統的工芸品).
  • Tradition links its origins to the late Heian period, with accounts describing lacquer artisans from Kyoto working in the Hiraizumi area.
  • Rooted in the Hiraizumi area of Iwate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The traditional specification for Hidehira-nuri begins with hon-kataji, a lacquer ground built up in layers with cloth reinforcement before colour is applied.

Care & Notice

This is handmade Hidehira-nuri lacquerware. A little care keeps it in daily use for years.

  • Wash by hand in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Skip abrasive sponges, the microwave, and the dishwasher.
  • For the first two to three months of use, start with lukewarm rather than very hot food or drink, so the lacquer settles in gradually.
  • Avoid long soaking in water.
  • Dry with a soft cloth after washing, rather than air-drying.
  • Store away from direct sunlight.

About Shipping

Every piece ships from Japan.

  • We ship to the UK, the EU and Switzerland, via DHL, with tracking included.
  • This sale is made under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms. If import duty applies, it's billed directly to Toramonten, not to you.
  • Customs authorities may contact the recipient directly, and we can't say in advance which orders this might affect.
  • This piece is in stock and ships within about a week of your order.

About the workshop

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