Sake Ware
Elegant Masu cup made in Japan with Japanese Cypress wood.
Enjoy your favourite sake the traditional way with this stylish and minimalist Masu cup. The Japanese cypress will give your sake a fresh wooden aroma, reminiscent of the old days when sake was often kept and served in large barrels.
Don't feel like drinking from it? No problem, use it a stylish recipient to organise your room, kitchen or office!
The Designs:
• "Reiwa" wood-burnt imprint. Reiwa is the current era of Japan's official calendar. It began on 1 May 2019, the day on which Emperor Akihito's elder son, Naruhito, ascended the throne as the 126th Emperor of Japan.
• Daruma wood-burnt imprint. Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement.
• Maneki-Neko wood-burnt imprint. The Maneki-Neko is a common Japanese figurine depicting a cat that is often believed to bring good luck to the owner.
• Mt Fuji wood-burnt imprint. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity. Its iconic profile is the subject of numerous works of art, notably Edo Period prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige.
Dimensions: 8.3cm x 8.3cm x 5.6cm ( About 170 ml)
Made In Japan
The History of Masu Cups
Masu was formerly used as a measuring cup. In Japan, people use the terms ichi-go or i-sho (equals to ten “go”) to measure rice and sake, and a level “masu” cup of rice is ichi-go (one go), making for one to two servings of rice when cooked.
For over 1300 years, the Masu has played an important role in Japanese tradition.
Originally a measuring cup for foods such as rice and soy sauce, the Masu was used to measure rice when it was common as a form of currency.
For the Japanese people, the Masu was as valuable and important as the rice it contained, and this tradition remains an essential part of the lives of people today.
More recently, the Masu has become widely recognised as a vessel for serving Sake, as well as a symbol of good luck. The term “Masu” translates to “growth” in Japanese and is thus an icon of prosperity and great happiness.
Masu is also used in sacred rituals, and holy offerings are often presented to the spirits in the Masu box. On the day before the official start of spring, it is common for farmers to offer beans in a Masu box to pray for a rich harvest.
Masu is unique because it is put together wedging together precisely cut pieces of wood and applying a tiny amount of adhesives, without the use of any nails.
Japanese Cypress or "Hinoki"
Because of its use in exceptional architecture, the Japanese Cypress, better known as Hinoki, is regarded as a great luxury in Japan. Famous for its crisp aroma and its versatility as a building material, Hinoki is a preferred choice for hot spring baths. Japanese Cypress has been the wood of choice for the construction of ancient works of architecture such as the Horyuji Temple, the oldest wooden structure known to date.
Relaxation Effects
The fresh fragrance of the Japanese Cypress is known to have a relaxing and refreshing effect. The scent particles also give this special wood an antibacterial quality, making it an ideal choice for use as kitchenware and bath goods.
Environmentally Friendly
No trees are cut specifically for the objective of making a Masu box. Masu boxes are made by effectively recycling wood that did not meet building material standards because of their shape or size.
