GATO MIKIO SHOTEN
Tsumugi Hisago Shaped Urushi Bowl
Tsumugi Hisago Shaped Urushi Bowl
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A Bowl with Meaning
The shape of the Hisago (瓢) represents a gourd.
Since ancient times, gourds were used to carry and store medicine. They are also associated with the expression 無病息災 (mubyō sokusai), wishing for a life free from illness.
For this reason, the gourd has long been regarded as a symbol of good health, good fortune and protection.
Each shape within the TSUMUGI collection carries its own name and meaning, connecting the everyday act of dining with the forms and symbolism of traditional Japanese culture.
Designed for the Everyday Table
While rooted in traditional Japanese tableware, the TSUMUGI collection brings a distinctly contemporary sensibility to the dining table.
The bowl's elegant curves create a sculptural silhouette, while its compact proportions make it ideal for everyday use.
Traditionally used for soup, it is also beautiful for serving rice, small dishes, desserts or seasonal accompaniments.
Made from zelkova wood (keyaki), the bowl has a natural warmth and tactile quality that brings a sense of softness to the table.
The TSUMUGI Collection
TSUMUGI takes its name from the idea of weaving or connecting.
The collection reinterprets traditional Japanese bowl forms through new, graceful curves, bringing a fresh expression to forms that have been passed down through generations.
Each piece is designed by Ikumi Ishizaki, combining the heritage of Japanese food culture with a contemporary approach to form.
Details
Material: Zelkova Wood (Keyaki)
Size: Ø115 × H74mm
Capacity: 250ml
Designer: Ikumi Ishizaki / 石崎育味
Made in Japan
Finish Options
Plain / Black
Finished with polyurethane coating.
Wipe Urushi (拭漆)
Finished with urushi lacquer, allowing the natural beauty and grain of the wood to remain visible.
As wood is a natural material, variations in grain and colour are part of the character of each piece.
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ABOUT THE MAKER
Gato Mikio Shoten | 我戸幹男商店 | Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture
Founded in 1908 in the famed wood-turning town of Yamanaka Onsen, Gato Mikio Shoten (我戸幹男商店直営店) has been making handcrafted Japanese lacquerware rooted in centuries-old techniques. The workshop evolved from a family woodworking factory into a lacquerware studio that highlights the natural beauty of woodgrain and meticulous craftsmanship.
Each piece - from tea caddies and cups to trays and bowls is shaped by skilled artisans using traditional kijibiki (woodturning) and fuki-urushi (wiped lacquer) techniques that maintain the clarity of the wood’s surface rather than covering it.
Over the years, Gato Mikio has fused tradition with refined contemporary design, collaborating with modern designers and earning recognition such as the 2012 German Design Award for its Karmi tea canister series.
Their work reflects a commitment to longevity, simplicity, and the inherent warmth of natural materials, creating objects that are both beautiful and functional in everyday life.