Chopstick Holder / Rest Whale

Description

Our popular whale tableware collection has a new addition: an adorable whale chopstick rest. This collection has been a big hit since its introduction and is one of our best sellers.  It started with a request we received from one of our enthusiastic collectors.  He asked if we could find him a whale chopstick rest to complement the whale bowls and plates they had been collecting.  Shokunin Store searched high and low and finally found this ceramic whale chopstick rest from an artisan maker.

Created by the artisan ceramic company “Masters Craft” in Gifu Prefecture in Japan, each chopstick rest is carefully hand crafted with attention given to every detail, from the gentle curve of the stripy throat to the little hump representing a dorsal fin.  The company’s motto is to create products that make your heart flutters, no matter how small the creation.  And this whale chopstick rest does just that.

A conversation starter at dinner party

Chopstick rests are more than just functional tableware for the Japanese.  They’re also an opportunity to add a touch of seasonality to the dining experience.  From cherry petal-shaped rests for spring to red maple leaf-shaped rests for autumn, there are chopstick rests for every season.  Your Japanese host may use glassware to serve cold noodles in the summer, providing a refreshing touch, while choosing thicker ceramic hotpot bowls to use in winter to bring warmth to the table.  This attention to tableware seasonality is a hallmark of Japanese hospitality.  For a nation that is generally space challenged, traditional Japanese hospitality meant that you needed a whole lot of space for storing different tableware.

Express Your Taste and Personality

This whale chopstick rest may be a summer item in the traditional sense but if you are a whale lover or live by the sea, why not use this all year around to entertain your family and guests.  Chopstick rest is a means to express your taste and to show a bit of personality.  You may like a bit of fun with these animal shaped rests while others may prefer more “wabi-sabi” type with understated colour and abstract shape.

Artisanal Craftsmanship Powered by the Sun

We love how Master Craft’s Ihoshiro kiln is run by solar power.  Established in 1960, they have been creating artisanal products by observing our wants and needs, while being true to themselves and striving to be good.  At Shokunin Store, we believe God is in small detail and who made it matters.

Specifications
Size: 5.8cm × 2.7cm × 2cm
Weight: 17g
Mino ware made in Japan