Handled Small Bowl (Sierra Cup Style) – Limited First Edition Wood

River and Forest Original

This is a small bowl with a handle, made in the Sierra cup style. It was crafted using Somei Yoshino cherry wood with a meaningful background, available only in this first limited batch.

Somei Yoshino is generally known to be a wood that tends to warp even after drying. The grain in this particular batch is quite twisted, and future warping, cracking, or chipping may occur. Please purchase only if you can accept these characteristics as part of the wood’s natural individuality. (Repairs can be discussed—feel free to contact us.)

Due to the strong individuality of the grain, each piece is sold as a unique item. These were made through a process of trial and experimentation, resulting in variations such as different handle shapes, carved exteriors, full glass paint finishes, and even several pieces with a burning-art design on the bottom. There’s also one mug made from the same wood, which may or may not belong here.

There are 18 items in total plus 1 mug.

Please check the photos, video and item number. (All media was taken in natural light. We apologize if the videos appear slightly dark. The first one or two photos show No.1 taken outdoors.)

The original idea came from a cup I found at Kobayashi’s workshop. On one corner of a display shelf filled with cups made from offcuts and not intended for sale, I noticed a short little cup. I picked it up, wondering what it might be used for. Kobayashi san saw me looking at it and casually said, “You can have it.” (laughs)

When I brought it home and started using it, I realized how versatile it was—perfect for things like chilled tofu, dipping sauce for somen noodles, soup, yogurt with granola, and more. Since it has a handle, you can lift it to serve from a pot or even use it while standing.

It can be used for multiple purposes, such as a sherpa cup outdoors and a small bowl indoors.

I liked it so much that I reshaped the handle a bit myself.

Bringing it back to Kobayashi san, we discussed it many times and eventually created this handled bowl in the style of a Sierra cup.

Only 18 of these (plus 1 mug) were made, using a meaningful wood with a special background. The material is Somei Yoshino cherry, felled in 2005 during a road expansion project at Nabekake Elementary School in Nasushiobara City. Right after the tree was cut down, Kobayashi san held a commemorative woodworking class at the school using that cherry. This batch comes from the last remaining board milled at that time.

Somei Yoshino is not generally suited for woodworking because it tends to twist and warp. But I happened to own a mug made from this wood and was deeply drawn to the grain, which seemed to tell the story of the tree’s life. I asked Kobayashi san if we could use this particular wood.

At first, we considered carving random textures into the outer surface, but the grain was already so expressive that adding unevenness would have made it visually overwhelming. So we left the outer surface untouched to showcase the wood’s natural patterns. As for the finish, after much thought, we decided on a glass paint coating for the interior and an oil finish on the exterior—my personal favorite. With regular care, the exterior will take on a richer character over time. You can even reshape the handle to your liking and reapply oil to make it your own.

Product Specifications

• Artisan: Yasufumi Kobayashi
• Wood Species: Somei Yoshino (from Nabekake, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture)
• Finish: Glass paint on the interior, oil finish on the exterior (some pieces are finished with glass paint both inside and out)
• Dimensions: Inner diameter approx. 100mm (mug approx. 91mm)
• Capacity: Varies. [Reference value] No.11 approx. 255cc, No.16 approx. 290cc (when full)

Care Instructions

Please see " Examples of the Aging Process and Maintenance of Wooden Tableware (Oil Finish) " for information on how to care for it.