When purchasing wooden tableware for the first time, you might feel that daily use requires special care. However, once you become accustomed to it, you’ll hardly need to think about it. The phrase 'a lifetime item' is often used, but tools are made to be used, not just stored. Our artisans create these products for use, not for keeping in storage. Please feel free to use them regularly without worrying too much. Through regular use, you’ll naturally develop your own way of using them, as well as the timing and method for care.

Daily Use Precautions

Wood has the characteristic of expanding and contracting with changes in humidity, which can lead to warping and cracking. Appliances that significantly affect the moisture content of wood include microwaves, ovens, and dishwashers.

Sudden temperature changes can also have an impact. Liquids at drinking temperature are not a problem, but pouring boiling water is not recommended (as it may cause cracking).

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause excessive drying, which may lead to changes or deterioration in both the wood and any applied finishes. Similarly, refrigerators have very low humidity, so they should be avoided for storing wooden tableware.

For finishes that are permeable (most of the products we carry have this type of finish), prolonged contact with water or liquids will cause them to penetrate into the wood, resulting in stains. Additionally, the surface in contact with the liquid will swell and warp, creating a convex shape. The same applies to finishes that create a coating, although to a lesser extent, unless the finish is completely impermeable.

For cleaning, you can use detergent and sponges available at any general retail store. Please note the following:

Please use a neutral or mildly alkaline detergent. Acidic or strongly alkaline detergents can deteriorate the finish and cause the wood to degrade or discolor.

Avoid scrubbing with hard objects, as this may scratch or peel off the coating on the tableware.

In the case of oil finishes, if the cleaning agent is too strong, it can strip away the oil, making the surface more prone to drying out.

Although I've written a lot, I believe that slight changes and deterioration are no problem for use, and that you don't need to worry too much about daily use or cleaning. With oil finishes, if the oil fades, you simply add more. Stains are marks of use and add character over time. The dining table in my home is not even flat to begin with, so I don’t notice any slight warping in dishware. Even if you tried to press it to check, even perfectly flat ceramic plates would wobble on my table.

I also enjoy warping and cracking.

Shop Owner’s Daily Usage Routine

Except for dishes to be used in microwaves and ovens, and dishes to be stored in refrigerators for long periods of time, almost all tableware is made of wood. I drink coffee regularly, brewed at a maximum of 92°C, and I use either ceramic or wooden cups. When using a wooden cup, I always use the same one to avoid any interference from residual scents. (When drinking tea, which is brewed at 100°C, I cool the liquid slightly in a pot before pouring it into a wooden cup. However, I rarely drink tea, and when I do, I prefer ceramic cups.)

When cleaning after meals, I lightly soak rice bowls and other dishes where food might stick in water. In winter, I use warm water. Once softened, I wash them by hand or with a soft sponge using dish soap or a mild detergent, then place them on a draining rack. Before storing them in the cupboard, I make sure to dry them thoroughly to prevent mold. I place dishes upright, both on the draining rack and in the cupboard, to prevent moisture from accumulating on the surfaces and to reduce the risk of warping. When placing them horizontally, I recommend placing them upside down.

(Although I mention this, in reality, I sometimes leave them on the dining table or in the sink overnight. However, if the dishes are exposed to water or other liquids for too long, they tend to warp.)

Maintenance (oil)

For oil-finished items, apply oil when they start to dry out (see below). There is no fixed frequency for maintenance. When I worked in an office, I would do it once or twice a year. The parts that come into contact with your mouth, such as the rim of cups, may start to feel dry and this can become noticeable. The more you maintain the items, the more the wood will retain the right balance of oil and moisture, which helps prevent warping and cracking, and also makes the wood more resistant to stains and discoloration.

Glass-coated items can also be maintained with oil, depending on the thickness of the coating.

For items finished with strong protective coatings, such as polyurethane resin coatings or urushi (lacquer), no maintenance is needed beyond regular washing. If the coating gets scratched or starts peeling, it’s best to leave repairs to the manufacturer or a professional. For products purchased from our store, please contact us for assistance.

Surface Preparation

If the surface of a cup or spoon feels rough, sand it before applying oil. Sandpaper with a grit of around 320 is usually sufficient, but finer grits can be used if you prefer an even smoother finish.

Applying Oil

Apply oil directly to the wood or onto a dry cloth and rub it in. Wipe off any excess with a dry cloth. Both the application and wiping can be done with rags or kitchen paper. Personally, I prefer applying the oil by hand, as it helps use less oil.

Choose an edible oil that has no taste or smell. Drying oils are suitable for this purpose. Among drying oils, I recommend perilla or linseed oil, as they have a higher iodine value. However, even with a high iodine value, these oils may not dry easily in low-temperature or high-humidity environments. Even if you think the oil is dry, it may seep out of the wood’s grain over time. If this happens, wipe it off again and allow it to dry.(For spoons and other items, you can use a thin layer of regular food-grade oil from your kitchen instead of purchasing a special maintenance oil. However, do not store the item in a cabinet until the surface is fully dry and non-sticky.)

Drying time depends on the type of oil, how deeply it penetrates the wood, temperature, humidity, etc., but with my method (using edible oils with a high iodine value), I typically wait 1-2 days before using the items. It takes even longer for the inside to fully dry.

Note: Oil-soaked cloths or paper can spontaneously combust. This is true for both cooking oils like tempura oil and beauty oils. As a general precaution, soak the cloth or paper thoroughly in water before discarding it, and avoid using a dryer when washing it.

Please see " Examples of the Aging Process and Maintenance of Wooden Tableware (Oil Finish) " for details on how it is actually cared for.

Reference page

Examples of the Aging Process and Maintenance of Wooden Tableware (Oil Finish)
Wooden Tableware Aging Process (Coating Finish)
Types and Characteristics of Finishing Coatings