Kami Kalopanax mug (small)

Kami means paper in Japanese and is the name given to a series of vessels developed by OJI Masanori with the uncommonly skilled woodturners of Takahashi Kougei, and was chosen as a reflection of the unique thinness and lightness of their hand turned forms. The unfamiliar grain is that of Kalopanax - the prickly castor oil tree - a cold hardy deciduous tree native to Hokkaido. Cut from local forests the timber is seasoned through many cold Asahikawa winters ensuring its stability both for working and a lifetime of use. Whilst some sympathetic handling is advised - dishwashers and long soaks avoided, and towel rather than air drying advised - these mugs and glasses are impregnated and sealed with a specially developed urethane ceramic mix and are suitable for use with both hot and cold liquids, as well as ordinary sink washing up. The smaller handled mug has a diameter of about 75mm and height of 69mm.