The Bento Evolution
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There was a time when plastic wrap, microwave and dishwashing machine didn't exist. It was also a time when no one was worrying about environmental pollution and micro-plastics in our food.
People respected Nature for what it provided.
Be INSPIRED by Japanese Craft Intelligence.
REVITALIZE and REINVENT ma-ge-mono wooden boxes.
Ma-ge-mo-no (Japanese for "bent" "objects"), refers to boxes and objects made by bending thin planks of cedar or cypress, with sakura bark stitching at the joint. This craft carries over 300 years of history, as utensils including water ladle and offering trays in Shinto shrines. During the Edo and Meiji period (16th to 19th century), they became humble utilitarian wares including wooden bento boxes for the commoners.
Historically, magemono were produced in many towns throughout Japan. Aging population, post-war industrialization, and the boom in commercial plastic-ware with off-shore cheap labor production have all led to the decline of the craft.
In the age of social and environmental sustainability...
What is Magemono?
Hakozaki is an old neighborhood in Fukuoka Japan, and its name translates to the "Cape with a Box". The area's most famous establishment is Hakozaki Shrine, built in 921 to commemorate the 15th Emperor Ojin, deified as God Hachiman. When Emperor Ojin was born, the mother Empress Jingu, placed his umbilical cord in a bent wood box and buried it at the ground of Hakosaki, and ordered a pine tree to be planted to mark the spot. The pine tree has since been named as the Box Pine and it is still growing strong in front of the Shrine. (See the pine behind the red fence).
The Shrine
Hakozaki Shrine & Bentwood Box
With its proximity to Hakozaki Shrine, Maidashi was once a flourishing town where many Shrine officials and workers used to live. Up until 1930s, the street leading to the Shrine was lined with over 20 family-run artisans' workshops making bent-wood wares for the shrine and for common uses.
Thus comes the name "Maidashi Magemono" 馬出曲物, bentwood craft named after the district. It has since be renamed as "Hakata Magemono" due to municipal name changes. It has been listed as one of the Important Cultural Intangible Property for Hakata Fukuoka.
The Craft
Hakozaki Shrine & Bentwood Box
Hakozaki Shrine & Bentwood Box
Maidashi Bentwood Craft
Few centuries ago, the bustling main street of Maidashi town was lined with magemono bent-wood shops ran by 20 some families. Currently there are only 2 families in Fukuoka producing Hakata magemono. And Shibata-Toku (established 1850) is the only remaining magemono shops in the original district of Maidashi.
The Shop
ShibataToku 柴田徳商店 Est.1850
Taketombo, established in 2018, is a social enterprise devoted to the revitalization of Japanese Traditional crafts through creative intervention and activities.
The Magemonogatari Project was initiated in 2021, aiming to leverage a new magemono product to re-energize the Craft, creating new use and interests among younger generation, raise awareness about the value of handmade objects and introduce this craft to an international stage.
The Creator
Taketombo / goenne.com
The Makers
柴田 淑子 柴田徳商店6代目
Yoshiko Shibata
6th Generation Owner and Maker
Ms. Shibata desired to guard and continue her family heritage. After her father's passing, she asked retired artisan Mr. Taizo Morita to return to work at the shop so she can keep it going. Ms. Shibata makes the boxes with Mr. Morita while manages the shop at the front.
Matériel 1
Cèdre
L'île de Kyushu est l'un des plus gros producteurs de bois de cèdre de qualité au Japon.
Un cèdre de haute qualité est nécessaire pour faire du magémono. L'une des compétences les plus importantes en tant qu'artisan de magémono est d'avoir l'œil entraîné pour obtenir des bûches de la meilleure qualité. Les nœuds et les grains affectent non seulement l'esthétique, mais également les propriétés du produit.
consommation & impact social
DIMENSION
Overall
Top Tier
Bottom Tier
MATERIAL
All Japanese Locally-grown material
Japanese Cedar from Kyushu
Sakura Tree Bark from Akita
ACCESSORIES (basic)
Comes with 1 short divider & Elastic Band
The Add-Ons
1 Tall Holder
1 Platform Insert
2 specially-designed wood accessories to enhance functionality.
The Tall Holder is made to separate various spatulas for your kintsugi or painting projects
The Platform Insert subdivide the bottom box to give you double the storage capacity.
DIY Fuki-urushi kit
If you are into Japanese lacquer craft, why not DIY and stain your own box.
Fuki-urushi is a traditional lacquer rubbing technique that coat the wood finish to enhance durability and water resistance.
Lacquering Service
Don't bother with lacquering time? Order the box with a lacquered lid.
We provide fuki-urushi service for the lid. Once lacquered, the lid can about be used as a mixing palette for all your kintsugi/urushi projects.
Furoshiki Wrap Cloth
Complete the look with a traditional wrapping cloth called Furoshiki.
They also make great reuseable gift wrapping!
