ISHIZUE Wooden Bowl: Zelkova Soup & Rice Bowl | YOHAKU MOKKOSHA

A lathe-turned zelkova bowl for soup, rice or anything you like

Each piece of natural wood has its own character, so the shape is kept simple. Yohaku Mokkosha, a small woodworking studio in the mountains of Ueno, Gunma, turns these bowls from Japanese zelkova (keyaki) using traditional lathe techniques — handling every step from the log to the finished bowl.

Why you'll love it

• Versatile — most often used for miso soup, but just as good as a rice bowl or for salads, yogurt and small dishes.
• Comfortable with hot food — wood doesn't conduct heat easily, so it stays pleasant to hold even with hot soup.
• Easy care — finished with a clear urethane coating that is easy to look after.
• Two shapes — 01 is slightly sharp and easy to hold; 02 is simple and suits any table.
• One of a kind — every bowl shows different grain and color.

Two shapes to choose from

ISHIZUE 01 — a slightly sharp shape that is easy to hold.

ISHIZUE 02 — a simple shape that goes well with any table.

Enjoy either one as a soup bowl, rice bowl or small serving bowl — however you like.

Traditional technique, carried on by a young craftsman

Driven by a strong wish to become a woodworker, the young maker moved deep into the mountains of Gunma. After learning lathe turning (hikimono) from a certified traditional craftsman, the maker set up an independent studio. Their sense and passion, combined with traditional technique, gave birth to ISHIZUE — a simple bowl filled with careful details.

From log to bowl, all in one studio

Yohaku Mokkosha uses only Japanese and local timber, and makes everything in-house from log to finished product — rare in an industry where imported wood and divided labor are the norm. Drying the logs, sawing, forging the cutting tools, rough turning, finish turning and coating are all done with care by the studio itself.

Wood grown in nature

Wood is a living thing. The place and climate where a tree grew over many years, and even contact with animals, leave their traces — fine or wide growth rings, color, small knots and marks — even within the same species. Like people, every tree has its own character, so each bowl is truly one of a kind. We hope you enjoy its individuality.

• Fine growth rings — trees grow faster in warm, sunny places, so a bowl with fine rings may come from a tree that grew somewhere cold or shady.
• Light and dark tones — the outer wood is pale and the core is darker, so a bowl with both may be cut from between the two.
• Small knots — these form where the trunk grew around a small branch, perhaps one that broke off along the way.
• Marks and color variation — older trees develop marks more easily; a richly varied bowl is proof of an old tree that withstood nature for many years.

About Yohaku Mokkosha

A small woodworking studio in Ueno, Gunma, making wooden tableware and kitchen and interior goods with traditional lathe-turning techniques. "The food is the star — but the margin (yohaku) a bowl provides brings the food to life, and the story behind it makes meals more enjoyable." Through their bowls, they hope to make your everyday life a little better.

Specifications

• Designs: ISHIZUE 01 / ISHIZUE 02
• Size: approx. ø11 cm × H7.2 cm (ø4.3 × H2.8 in)
• Wood: zelkova (keyaki), Japanese timber
• Finish: clear urethane coating
• Made by: Yohaku Mokkosha, Ueno, Gunma
• Made in: Japan

As natural wood, the grain and pattern differ on every bowl. Knots or decay that could affect use are removed.

Care

• Do not use in an oven or microwave.
• Wash with a soft sponge and dish soap. Do not use a dishwasher, hard sponges or metal scourers.
• Do not leave food in the bowl or soak it in water for long periods.
• Avoid biting the rim or dropping it — the wood may crack or chip, and the coating may scratch or peel.

FAQ

What's the difference between 01 and 02?
Only the shape: 01 is slightly sharp and easy to hold, 02 is a simple rounded shape. Both are the same size and wood.

Can I put hot soup in it?
Yes. Wood doesn't conduct heat easily, so the bowl stays comfortable to hold.

Is it dishwasher or microwave safe?
No. Please wash by hand with a soft sponge, and don't use it in a microwave or oven.