Keep it long, treasure it long.

A versatile mug bowl that can be used casually, whether for Japanese or Western dishes.

Place your index finger on the handle or gently wrap both hands around it. The wooden mug bowl is surprisingly lightweight and fits comfortably in your palm. Even when pouring hot soup, the bowl doesn't become excessively hot, and it remains cool when filled with cold yogurt. Whether it's instant soup, tonjiru, or a serving dish for hot pot, you'll find yourself reaching for it in various situations, both Japanese and Western. The "Sakura Mug Bowl," crafted by Sonobe Sangyo in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a soft-shaped wooden vessel that becomes more familiar in your hands with each use.

A bowl with a handle that fits your index finger perfectly

This mug bowl features a small handle that allows your index finger to fit just right, based on the plump form of the long-selling "Meiboku Bowl." Its size snugly fits in your hand, and its stable shape makes it difficult to tip over on the table, reducing the worry of breaking like ceramic if dropped.

It shines in various meals, from miso soup and Western-style soups to salads, stews, and curries, making it a versatile addition to your breakfast, lunch, and dinner tables. The handle makes it an excellent choice for small children to hold on their own or for use as a bowl for baby food. Finished with a urethane coating, you can serve oily or richly colored dishes without concern. This bowl is designed for everyday use without worrying too much about what you put in it.

A vessel created through months of craftsmanship

This mug bowl is made from cherry wood. With its fine grain and subtle luster, cherry wood is strong and well-suited for durable vessels. Wood is poor at conducting heat, so when you pour a warm drink, the warmth gently spreads in your palm.

From selecting the wood, drying it, turning it on a lathe, to finishing with paint, every step is handled by artisans at Sonobe Sangyo, taking several months to complete a single mug bowl. The smooth texture is a result of this accumulated time and effort.

Packaged as a set of two in a box, it’s a perfect combination for celebrating weddings where both can use the same vessel, or as a gift for those starting a new life in a new home. Rather than being a bowl to save for special occasions, its true beauty lies in being used on the dining table every day.

Crafting with Japanese wood in everyday life

Products from Sonobe Sangyo, a woodworking shop in Odawara, are characterized by their use of Japanese wood, with all processes from wood processing to finishing done in-house by Japanese artisans at their domestic factory. They continue to engage in handwork utilizing thinned wood, bent wood, and offcuts while also focusing on research and development of new designs. Their goal is to create high-quality items that can be comfortably used every day in daily life.

Enjoying delicious meals is a fundamental aspect of life that may seem ordinary but is essential to our daily foundation. The Sakura Mug Bowl, born from carefully selected wood and artisan craftsmanship, gently blends into your everyday dining experience.