A warm bowl of rice that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, perfect for everyday use

It can be used in morning miso soup, hearty stews, and even rice.
The "Meiboku bowl" is a gentle companion at the dinner table every day. Its thick, plump bowl fits comfortably in your hand, allowing you to hold hot soup with confidence. The wood's ability to retain heat keeps food warm even on busy mornings.

This simple and reliable bowl can easily accommodate any type of food and is also suitable as a bowl for traditional Japanese cuisine. It is also recommended as a first bowl for children to become familiar with wooden tableware.
The individuality of the ingredients adds to the flavor

The raw materials used are high-quality domestic wood from Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, surrounded by the Hakone, Izu, and Tanzawa mountains. Each piece has its own unique color and grain depending on the type and part of the wood, making each pair a special, one-of-a-kind item.
The medium size is perfect for soups with lots of ingredients, and its stable weight makes it perfect for everyday use.
A quality texture created by the hands of artisans and the blessings of nature

Sonobe Sangyo carries out an integrated production process from processing the logs to painting. The drying process to prevent cracks and warping takes place over a period of more than eight months, taking advantage of the warm climate of Odawara.

Our skilled craftsmen carefully shave the wood while wetting the surface with well water from the nearby Sakawa River, bringing out the natural smoothness and texture of the wood. We also reuse the wood waste and vessels that cannot be sold, rather than wasting them, in order to maintain our commitment to cherishing the blessings of nature.

The resulting "Meiboku Wan" is a bowl filled with the artisan's passion, bringing warmth and a sense of security to your everyday dining table.
(Interviewed and written by monotomoi Editorial Department)
探究心が生む幸せ
神奈川県小田原市
薗部産業 薗部弘太郎さん
略歴
山梨県道志村に生まれ、小田原へ続く木工家系で育つ。大学で工学を学び鉄道部品メーカーへ就職するも、「自分の手に残る実感」を求めて家業に戻る。現在は薗部産業で循環型木工の担い手として活躍。
ものづくりで大切にしていること
木が「無理をしない」状態で形になること。端材を含むすべての素材を循環させ、“無理なく、無駄なく、土に還るまで”を徹底する。使う人の生活に寄り添い、「料理がより美味しく感じる」器づくりを目指す。
仕事観・人生観
自分の名前を残すより、仲間の技術と、木工の文化を未来へ残すことを重視。疑問や興味に真っ直ぐに向き合い、何事も鵜呑みにせず背景まで知ろうとする姿勢を大切にする。「手に残るリアリティのある仕事が、人の幸せにつながる」という信念で働く。
ストーリー紹介
両親と喧嘩をしてまで家業とは全く異なる業界へ就職した薗部さん。それでも家業へ戻ってきたのは、人の喜びのために自分たちの手で作ることの大切さに気づいたから。その根底には、自分の気持ちや疑問に正直に向き合うというスタンスがある。そしてそれは驚くほど真っ直ぐで、昔から変わらずに持ち続けているもの。
このつくり手のストーリーを読む
サイズ/重量/容量について
<Size>
φ11.5cm x 6.8cm (content: approx. 280ml)
素材/原材料について
<Material>
Domestic natural wood (walnut, chestnut, oak, beech, cherry)
取り扱い上の注意について
No special care is required.
After use (when washing), wash gently with commercially available dish soap and a soft sponge.
- Avoid using microwaves, dishwashers, dish dryers, or soaking.
-Since natural wood is used, there may be live knots (traces where branches grew) and natural stains, but this does not affect the product's usability.
- An instruction manual is included, so please be sure to read it.