Isshochi Bentwood Craft: Handmade Wood bento boxes from Kumamtoto
そそぎ 正司
一勝地曲物初代 - 25代目人吉曲物師
そそぎ 工房
Masaji Sosogi
25th Generation Hitoyoshi Bentwood Artisan
Founder of Issochi Bentwood Craft
Sosogi Atelier, Issochi, Kumamoto
Isshochi, Kumamoto
Isshochi is a gorge village in the Southern part of Kumamoto with about 3,925 population where 90% of the land is forest. Tucked between the steep mountains, it receives little visitors, except for domestic travelers who love to explore nature, river rapid rides, and hot springs, or the slow train ride in rural Japan.
The region was under the rule of the Sagara clan since 1192, whom strategically chose to respect and preserve all regional culture during its reign for 700 years. The region was later described as the "most culturally rich hidden village in Japan" by famous historic novelist Ryotaro Shiba.
With abundant natural resources and well-preserved folk history, Issochi welcomes those who are willing to travel deep into southern Kumamoto.
From Hitoyoshi to Isshochi Bentwood Craft:
Bent-Wood bento boxes for the elite Sagara clan from 400 years ago.
During his reign in the Hitoyoshi Kumamoto region (southern Japan), Feudal Lord Sagara invited skilled bentwood artisans from the renowned woodcraft area of Hida Takayama (in central northern Japan) to settle in his domain. He commissioned them to create functional yet beautiful objects using the abundant local forestry resources.
The establishment of the first bentwood workshop in Hitoyoshi marked the beginning of Hitoyoshi Bentwood Craft. Many everyday bentwood items were produced and delivered to the elite at Lord Sagara’s castle, and the craft flourished for over 20 generations.
Masaji Sosogi, a young man from the neighboring village of Issochi, crossed paths with Mr. Matsufune, a 23rd-generation bentwood artisan from Hitoyoshi. This encounter set Sosogi on a new path in the world of bentwood craftsmanship, where he eventually became a master himself and founded Issochi Bentwood.
Masaji Sosogi
25th generation of Hitoyoshi Bentwood Master
Founder of Issochi Bentwood
Masaji Sosogi first encountered Hitoyoshi bentwood craft at the age of 25, the late Mr. Matsufune, a retired bentwood master in Hitoyoshi. Sosogi still recalls how 'electrifying' the experience was, stating, 'It would be a shame to let all these bentwood techniques disappear.'
Determined to preserve the craft, Sosogi began apprenticing under the master, commuting between his warehouse-turned-atelier in Issochi and Mr. Matsufune's studio in Hitoyoshi. After completing his apprenticeship, he chose to continue the craft in his hometown of Issochi. For the past 45 years, he has passionately handcrafted bentwood boxes. Combining the skills he learned in Hitoyoshi with his own innovations, he named his work 'Issochi Bentwood,' after his birthplace.
Without Sosogi’s dedication, Hitoyoshi bentwood would likely have disappeared like many other traditional crafts in Japan. Drawing on his background in construction, he applied magemono bentwood techniques on a larger scale, creating architectural structures, sculptures, and theatrical sets for Shinto 'kagura' performances. He is the only bentwood craftsman to explore the boundless possibilities of bentwood techniques.
Now at age 69, as the ONE and ONLY artisan of Issochi bentwood. He brings his creative caliber and smile to the wood shop everyday, and passionately make to order. With the help of his wife and daughter, Sosogi is determined to carry-on this 400-year-old regional legacy, to pass down his knowledge and promote the charm and endless possibilities of bentwood craft to the young generations.
The charm of Issochi magemono
The Isshochi bento box is made by hand, with both hinoki AND cedar.
As a result, the natural wood aroma of the box is significantly different than Hakata magemono.
Hakata Bentwood? Issochi Bentwood?
To say Hakata-style bentwood is "airy" and "delicate",
Isshochi-style bentwood would be "Hearty and Detailed".
Subtle Differences
Key Characteristics of Issochi-style bento box
01.
Robust
Thicker material (than most bentwood bento box) gives Issochi box its hearty-ness & robustness:
5mm thick bent hinoki frame, 15mm lid. TD-size box weights 310g (0.7lb).
02.
Hinoki Cypress + Cedar wood mix
2 different woods exert a richer natural wood aroma. Reddish cedar as top and base. Whitish hinoki cypress as frame
03.
Lid & Base Detail
Rounded edges and corners. Slight dome-shape lid, cantilever base panel
04.
Food-safe urethane coated (exterior-only)
Urethane coats the OUTSIDE of the box as it receives most wear-and-tear. INSIDE is left uncoated to maintain the wood aroma and food-moisture retaining capability.
喜舟
"joyful vessel"
For craftsmen, sumo wrestlers, and heritage family businesses, it is a common practice to assume a "heritage name" or "succession name" in the profession. Different regions and family lineage has different rules, some aliases are pre-determined by a family genealogy document, some has to incorporate 1 character from the predecessor's name etc..
For Issochi Bentwood lineage, artisans adopt poetic pseudonyms. Mr. Sosogi's predecessor's pseudonym was 浪若 (young wave).
Sosogi's pseudonym is 喜舟 (joyful vessel), which he proudly stamped at the base panel of all Issochi bentwood wares.
Sosogi Workshop そそぎ 工房
Beautiful bentwood bento boxes and more born from a 30 sqm studio
Sosogi's workshop situates on the perch by the crisp green Kuma river. It is compact, maybe about 30 sqm, every inch is used as a work studio. "I just make-to-order and ship everything out. That way I have space to keep making."
And he likes to keep most of the process using only hand tools, production is slow, and customers would commonly wait for a few months to receive their orders. One of his recent commission was to make large bento boxes for the reputable JR's Seven Stars luxury cruise train (Japan's domestic version of Oriental Express).
Issochi magemono wood bento boxes by Masaji Sosogi
Made exclusively for Goenne Japan
"I can make an entire box without using electric-power tools, and I prefer making mostly by hand. It is slow, one box at a time, and human-touch is visible. And power-outage won't affect me! LOL"
Masaji Sosogi
Essential Bento Box Accessories
Using Issochi wooden bento box
Wood is an organic material that breaths and changes overtime. Be gentle, take good care of it and it will last you a long long time.
Issochi bentwood boxes have a pleasant natural aroma of Japanese hinoki and cedar wood. And the uncoated wood interior naturally regulate moisture of the food (especially for rice and bread).
If you do not want your food to absorb the wood aroma, line the box with parchment paper or aluminum foil before placing your food inside the box.
Food with heavy grease or sauces may leave stains in the wood. Line the box with baking paper, foil, or contain the food in cupcake liners.
The lids of traditional wood bento boxes are not spill-proof. Using it for food like soup or liquid sauces may spill.
Before packing cooked rice into uncoated wood bento box, moist the interior with a wet cloth will prevent the rice from sticking onto the surface.
Caring for Issochi wooden bento box
Wash and rinse the bento box with water and mild detergent. Leave on well-ventilated rack for air-drying.
After each use, rinse with warm water and allow it to air-dry thoroughly.
To remove odor or stain, wash with small amount of mild detergent using only soft sponge. Allow to dry in well-ventilated place. Do not dry under direct sunlight.
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Do not put in dishwashing machine.
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Do not use bleach or chemicals.
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Do not put under direct sun for drying.
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Do not soak in water for a long time.
Natural wood may warp in high temperature and high humidity condition. Extreme heat or cold conditions and direct sunlight exposure should be avoided.
Think out of the bento box.
Who said bentwood bento boxes fit only into ones hands? Think big.