Vermillon red wooden baguettes ⋅ kawai

The Japanese attach great importance to the vermilion color, associated with good fortune and the sacred. It can be found in all Shinto temples, where the wood is lacquered in this color. In ancient times, the Japanese used to lacquer all ritual objects with red lacquer. Its reputation stems from the difficulty of producing this lacquer: when it hardens, it emits toxic gases, making its application very dangerous and lacquered objects highly valuable.

Located in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Kawai Co., Ltd. has been making traditional chopsticks since 1943, preserving the art of wakasa nuri with rigor and creativity. With a remarkable share of the national market for lacquered chopsticks, the company celebrates local craftsmanship while modernizing it through diverse collections designed for every generation. It is committed to sharing Japanese chopstick culture far beyond Japan by combining ancestral know-how, contemporary design, and impeccable quality.

lacquer-finished bamboo