YUSANBOX
A handcrafted lunchbox, created with an artisan's meticulous woodworking techniques, filled with cherished memories and warm wishes for a child's health.
With approximately 75% of its land covered in lush forests, Tokushima Prefecture is blessed with a rich natural environment. This has nurtured a thriving forestry industry and a longstanding tradition of craftsmanship rooted in wood. "Yusanbox," rooted in the rich tradition of woodworking, is renowned as one of Tokushima's most iconic traditional crafts. The Yusanbox is a small, three-tiered stacked box with origins dating back to the Edo period. Particularly from the Taisho to pre-war Showa periods, it gained popularity as a lunchbox container for children to carry their lunches on special occasions, such as school trips and festivals.
The appeal of "Yusanbox" lies not only in its practicality, but also in its meticulous craftsmanship and beautiful finish. Specialized woodworking techniques are employed, and fine wood is carefully painted so as to enhance the natural beauty of its woodgrain. Today, the Yusanbox is being rediscovered as a symbol of local culture, gaining popularity as both a thoughtful gift and an elegant piece of interior decor.
The appeal of "Yusanbox" lies not only in its practicality, but also in its meticulous craftsmanship and beautiful finish. Specialized woodworking techniques are employed, and fine wood is carefully painted so as to enhance the natural beauty of its woodgrain. Today, the Yusanbox is being rediscovered as a symbol of local culture, gaining popularity as both a thoughtful gift and an elegant piece of interior decor.
- “Yusanbox” and “Yosegi Zaiku(Parquet art)”; Handcrafted with Meticulous Care and Heart by a Skilled Husband and Wife Artisan Partnership
- Founded in 1985, Yamaguchi Mokko (YAMAGUCHI WOOD WORK) is a woodworking workshop run by Mr. Tomoichi and Mrs. Tokiko Yamaguchi. Mr. Tomoichi Yamaguchi, an artisan with 50 years of experience in making Buddhist altars, uses his expertise to create and sell original woodworking crafts. In particular, Tomoichi's "Yusanbox" incorporates wood joinery techniques, essential in the making of Buddhist altars, while Tokiko's delicate drawings embody strength and elegance. The "Yusanbox," crafted by Yamaguchi Mokko, is also used in local kaiseki restaurants.
Mr. and Mrs. Yamaguchi are also among the foremost masters of "Yoegi Zaiku," a technique that combines wood of different colors to create intricate patterns. "Yoegi Zaiku" is a technique that tests the skills of artisans, requiring 2 years of dedication and meticulous effort to create plates. The pieces can be arranged in a variety of ways to produce diverse patterns. The design incorporates a combination of 8 types of wood: white ash, ebony, rosewood, ziricote, pao rosa, bocote, wenge, and Japanese zelkova. Mr. and Mrs. Yamaguchi continue to handcraft each piece with the heartfelt desire to share the elegance of local traditional crafts and the beauty of wood.
Creator Introduction
Representative of Yamaguchi Mokko
Tomoichi Yamaguchi
Mr. Tomoichi, an expert woodworker from Tokushima Prefecture with over 50 years of experience, began his craft at the age of 18. Founded Yamaguchi Mokko in February 1985. Initially, he focused solely on crafting Buddhist altars. However, he later began creating "Yusanbox" and "Yoegi Zaiku" with a desire to preserve and pass on the appeal of this traditional local craft, Yusanbox, to future generations. Today, he crafts and sells woodworking crafts using traditional Buddhist altar-making techniques, such as wood joinery and sharpening.
Yamaguchi Mokko
- Address
- 62-1 Awajikata, Sanozuka, Kokufu-cho, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture 779-3101
- TEL-FAX
- 088-642-9020
- Business Hours
- 9:00 to 17:00 (Excluding Sundays and public holidays)
Sales method
- Price:
Yusanbox (Large) From JPY 44,000
(Size: (Outer dimensions) Width 16 cm, Depth 16.3 cm, Height 18 cm, Weight 1100 g and above)
Yusanbox (Small) From JPY 33,000
(Size: (Outer dimensions) Width 12 cm, Depth 14 cm, Height 16 cm, Weight 750 g and above) - Direct purchase available. (Payment: Cash, VISA, JCB, AMEX, Diners)
- Authorized Dealer: "Yamaguchi Mokko" Gallery, Tokushima Prefectural Industrial Internationalization Support Organization, Tokushima Industrial Support Center
- Custom orders available. (Production time is approximately 2 months for one item. To place your order, please contact us by phone or visit our studio.)
- International shipping not available.
- Bulk orders welcome. (Approximately 30 pcs. *Please inquire about delivery times.)
- Workshop Experience: Not available
- Factory tours are available:
(Required time) Approximately 60 minutes (Fee) JPY 3,000
(Workshop details) Explanation of the production process. - Examples Adopted by Japanese restaurant "Yasuragitei" (Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture).
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