For
Love of Japanese Wood Bento Box
Not all Japanese wood bento boxes are called "magewappa"*
* "wappa" is a dialect from Northern Kanto region, refers to bentwood bento boxes made in Akita. Different region uses different words for bentwood boxes, based on the local dialect.
Discover the Hidden World of Japanese Bentwood Crafts
曲
物
Discover the Hidden World of Japanese Bentwood Crafts
With the retirement of Mr. Morita at ShibataToku, we searched across Japan and were surprised to find how few artisans still craft these beautiful boxes by hand using locally sourced materials. Unlike the widely known Akita magewappa, a few independent artisans working in small towns receive little publicity. These makers have become the "sole" or "last remaining" artisans of their craft, and without support, many of their unique regional lineages are at risk of disappearing.
Our mission is to amplify the voices of small family heritage wood bento box makers by showcasing their unique history and style, helping these traditions gain the exposure they deserve. There is more beyond "magewappa".
Bent-wood Artisans of Kyushu region
In the South, we call it "ma-ge mono", or "menpo"
For those who appreciate Japanese bentwood bento boxes, we invite you to explore and support these artisans. Each piece reflects a unique lineage, with subtle variations that make it a testament to its heritage. Similar to wine heritage, Japan name their crafts using the town's name, hence they would become the regional pride(s). E.g. Champaign, Bordeaux... In Japan, almost all traditional crafts bears the names of the producing towns.
Hakata magemono is the pride of Fukuoka, ShibataToku & Shibata Tamaki are the 2 remaining families running bentwood craft shop.
Issochi magemono (or menpo) is the pride of Kumamoto Prefecture. Masaji Sosogi is the sole artisan producing bentwood craft object.
Hakata Magemono 博多曲物
6th generation
ShibataToku (Yoshiko)
The last remaining craft shop in Maidashi, the birthplace of Hakata bentwood craft. With the retirement of their last bentwood master in 2023, ShibataToku now produces extremely limited bentwood objects. Yoshiko, potentially the final successor of this heritage, is determined to preserve it as long as possible—a harsh reality in Japan's traditional craft world.
Hakata Magemono 博多曲物
18th generation
Shibata Tamaki
After a decade of overcoming gender barriers in the male-dominating craft world, Tamaki inherited her century-old family business, becoming a female successor of Hakata bentwood craft. She believes that hand-crafted magemono will endure as long as she and future successors continue to explore modern-day functionality and build resilience.
Issochi Mage 一勝地曲げ
25th generation Hitoyoshi style
Founder of Issochi style magemono
Masaji Sosogi
The sole bentwood artisan in Kumamoto, Sosogi guards the Issochi bentwood lineage. His vision is to showcase the endless possibilities of magemono to the world and ensure that this craft is passed down to future generations.
Ever so subtle.
Crafting differences.
Why support this initiative?
The idea for this initiative began in 2023 when Mr. Morita's retirement halted bento box production at ShibataToku, a heritage bentwood shop established for over a century. Yoshiko Shibata, the sixth-generation owner, regretted that her family business will most likely end with her, feeling she hadn't built enough resilience.
As we explored the magemono craft industry, we discovered that traditional artisans are now rare in Japan, with many companies outsourcing to cheaper overseas labor. While Akita's magewappa bento boxes are well-known and better supported, the unique lineages and subtle craft differences of independent artisans across Japan are often overlooked.
Our goal is to share the stories of these lesser-known artisans, educate a global audience, and provide fair market opportunities to ensure their heritage thrives. We hope you find it fascinating to learn and appreciate the distinct details of these seemingly similar bento boxes.
