The SHIZQ Vessel: Two Years From Conception to Completion


The Shizuku bowl goes through a process of logging in the mountains, milling, drying, wood shaping, and painting before it is completed.

 

Shizuku's distinctive feature is its design, which layers beautiful two-toned annual rings.
However, this was considered unconventional in the woodworking industry, where it's believed that "the grain of a wooden bowl should be vertical," and "especially challenging with difficult-to-process cedar."
Since no one was doing it, there wasn't even a place that produced such materials.
That's why the creation of Shizuku bowls begins with us procuring the materials ourselves.

Material Procurement and Logging

With the cooperation of Mr. Kaneizumi, who runs a sawmilling business in Kamiyama Town, we carry out the felling of cedar trees that will become the material for Shizuku.

How best to fell a tree growing on a slope. How to transport the felled tree...
The act of "cutting down a tree" can sometimes involve mortal danger in order to take its life.
The gravity and preciousness that can only be understood by being on site.

For us, it's not just about procuring materials; it's also a valuable experience for learning to live in harmony with nature.

 

Milling

The milling process is key to making Shizuku bowls.
Milling is broadly divided into three steps: 'barking', 'timbering', and 'applying crack preventative'.

1. Barking

To prevent discoloration from drying too quickly and from the lye released by the bark, we completely strip the bark from the logs.


2. Timbering

Logs are milled into square timber for wood shaping.
Shizuku's timbering uses quarter-sawn (masame) cutting, a method completely different from conventional approaches.
This special cutting technique beautifully highlights the two-tone red and white colors of cedar.

This is a one-shot process with no turning back once cut.
A careful plan is needed beforehand, as a mistake in cutting can significantly alter its value.



3. Applying Crack Preventative


This process prevents the wood from shrinking and cracking during drying.
Shizuku bowls are meant to be held. Even the smallest crack is unacceptable. We carefully and evenly apply the preventative to each piece, paying close attention to surfaces prone to cracking.





 

Drying


After applying the crack preventative, the wood enters a natural drying period of about one and a half years.
For building materials, some cracks are not an issue, and they can be rapidly dried artificially, but this is not the case for Shizuku bowls.
We adapt to nature's pace, carefully and slowly conditioning the wood.

 

Wood Shaping

 

After thorough drying, the materials proceed to wood shaping.
First, the square timber is roughly turned into a cylinder on a wood lathe, then the craftsman uses tools he made himself to carve out the outer and inner shapes.





The annual rings of cedar have a significant gap between soft summer growth and hard winter growth, making carving a considerable challenge.
Furthermore, each piece has its own individuality. Some have coarser grains or more oil, and sometimes even knots. Slight differences alter the wood's properties.
Because no two pieces are alike, the shape of Shizuku is created only through the skilled craftsmanship of artisans who carefully work with each piece of wood, finely adjusting the pressure.





 

Painting

The completed wooden forms are then passed to the painters for the final finishing touches.
The "Tsuru Series" features a clear coating that highlights the natural wood grain,
while the "Kame" and "Kamehachi Series" are finished with a wipe-lacquer technique, resulting in an even more refined wood grain.


After painting and sufficient drying, the products are finally ready to be delivered to you.


 

Like the annual rings of cedar, Shizuku bowls are created through the accumulation of many people's efforts.
To transform cedar trees planted for the future, which have grown splendidly for 60 or 70 years, into something that connects to the next future....
We will continue to engage in manufacturing that connects our thoughts, together with the artisans who support us.