Update your everyday tools. Enjoy the ultimate breakfast with Azumaya's butter case and knife.

This time, we're featuring Azumaya's butter case. A beautiful wooden case with your favorite butter perched neatly inside, and a gorgeous brass knife tucked gently alongside it... The first time I saw this butter case, I was struck by how it managed to be both simple and beautiful, and I thought, "This is wonderful!" It's a long-selling item from Azumaya, and one of those everyday tools whose appeal only grows the more you get to know it. We'd love to introduce it to ZUTTO customers as well.

A tool that makes breakfast decidedly more stress-free

On winter mornings, cooking in a cold kitchen is never easy. With busy schedules, more and more people seem to prefer bread for breakfast—something you can leave alone in the mornings. And bread breakfasts always call for one thing: butter. Since this is such a simple meal—just bread and butter—many people are particular about the quality of their ingredients. But when you take the butter out of the fridge, isn't it frustrating how rock-hard it is, hard to cut, and how you have to take it out of its box, peel off the foil, and cut it on the table every single time you use it? At times like these, what eases the burden isa wooden butter case.

The color variations and grain patterns are each a mark of the individuality of the natural wood. It's a beautiful, dignified case that you can't help but fall for.

With Azumaya's wooden butter case, you simply remove the foil from the butter and place it directly on the board-like base, then pop the case on top like a lid."Wait, won't it spoil quickly like that?"you might wonder. But thanks to the solid yamazakura (mountain cherry) wood used by the craftsmen who made this case, itprevents rapid temperature changes(when family members come to the table one after another, butter tends to go through a lot of temperature swings as it's taken out and put away repeatedly), and once the lid is on, it creates a nearly airtight seal, soyou can enjoy delicious, well-kept butter in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.If left in its paper packaging, butter in the fridge can pick up odors or oxidize from exposure to air, but this case prevents that as well.

The size comfortably fits a standard 200g block of butter. The butter knife shown here is also from Azumaya.

Why is butter's foil wrapping always so hard to deal with? If you wrap it back up carelessly out of laziness, it dries out later, which is such a nuisance.

And what surprised me most was that when you take it out of the fridge, the butter hasn't hardened!It stays at just the right firmness, making it easy to slice with the knife. If you struggle to use up butter before it goes bad, just cut off what you need and keep the rest in the freezer—you'll always have fresh, delicious butter on hand.

Setting it on the table instantly elevates the atmosphere. You'll feel more motivated to prepare breakfast.

We're introducing two sizes: the"Zenban" (full size),which fits a whole standard 200g block of butter, and the"Hangiri" (half size),for those who can't finish 200g of butter within two weeks—this one holds 100g. For families, the full size is recommended and is by far the more popular choice. However, since butter is used so often, some people who don't want it taking up too much space in the fridge find the half size easier to tuck into gaps among other food items—very convenient.

Left: Zenban (full size), right: Hangiri (half size). Each piece has its own character in wood color and grain, so it's exciting to see which one arrives at your door.

The cutting feel of the stainless steel and brass butter knife

Once you have the butter case, you'll want to pair it with Azumaya's matching butter knife. With its softly rounded shape, this knife feels like an antique yet remains distinctly modern. It looks perfectly at home on the table, and its rounded edge makes it safer to use than an ordinary knife.

This thin, finely honed butter knife has a refined look, yet it handles spreading and cutting butter with ease. With no unnecessary ornamentation, it suits anyone who uses it. The blade is made of sturdy stainless steel, while the handle is brass. Knives that are washed frequently often have wooden handles that turn black over time, which isn't ideal in terms of appearance or hygiene—but with this butter knife, there's no need to worry about that. As you handle it, the brass handle gradually develops an amber patina, deepening in color over time. Watching a knife transform beautifully through your own use only deepens your attachment to it.

How do you care for a wooden butter case?

A wooden butter case may sound like it requires a lot of upkeep, but caring for it is surprisingly simple. Here's what to keep in mind:

・Minimize washing with water (never leave it soaking)

・Dry it thoroughly

・Once dry, apply a plant-based oil

That's really all there is to it.

This butter case is made from solid yamazakura (mountain cherry) wood. Compared to coated wood, solid wood hasmoisture-regulating properties,and itsinsulating qualitiescombine with this to create gentle temperature changes, keeping the butter in good condition. This isn't an issue with regular use, but when you wash the case, the wood absorbs moisture and then releases it again as it dries, causing it to expand and contract. If washed too frequently, this can cause the wood to warp or, in rare cases, crack.

For this reason, we recommendkeeping washing with water to a minimum.Those who use the case frequently often simply wipe it with a damp cloth, washing it properly only about once every two uses. If you're still concerned about cleanliness, dip a sponge in a small amount of neutral detergent and wash it gently.Be sure to rinse off the detergent thoroughly, wipe away moisture with a dry cloth, and then let it dry completely in a well-ventilated, shaded spot.Please never use it while moisture remains on the surface.

Since this is solid wood, you may notice, as you continue using it, that the surface has become a bit dry. When that happens, it's a good idea to work in some of the plant-based oil you regularly use.

A beautiful shape born of Japanese craftsmanship

We've covered a lot of ground here, but the yamazakura (Japanese mountain cherry) used for this butter case is a material that resists warping and distortion. Working kurumi (walnut) oil into the wood further helps keep it from warping or shifting. So there's no need to be overly nervous—just relax and enjoy life with your butter case. And if anything does happen, please rest assured that you can request a repair from the craftsman.

※Points to keep in mind when purchasing a butter case

This butter case is made from natural yamazakura wood. The grain and color will vary quite a bit from piece to piece, but we recommend it for anyone who can appreciate each individual difference as part of that piece's unique character.

Crafted with genuine skill, this finely made, beautiful solid-wood butter case is a Japanese tool that quietly enriches everyday life.

▽You can also find Azumaya's products, which add richness to everyday life, here