SANBOU is the name of a footed tray used to carry Shinsen (God offerings) in Shinto rituals
for centuries.The tray, made of cypress, is placed on a tubular base made by fodling a
cypress sheet.
In ancient times, it was not only used in temples but also by noble
households. SANBOU refers to “three treasures”: Buddha, Dharma the Teachings and Sangha the
community. There is a pearl shaped hole in one of the faces that is said to purify the muddy
waters and avoid disasters. Sanbou has been made for 300 years and in 2017, it was
designated traditional craft by the Japanese government as part of the Owari Buddhist
altars. We continue to craft Sanbou while preserving the old tradition.
Our new brand name NUSA results from the combination of the two words
“new-sanbou”.
InShinto purification rituals, nusa also refers to a special gift to the
divinities.
NUSA products are made of Kiso Hinoki (a type of cypress used to
build traditional Sanbou trays) with a design reference to shrines products. Under the
direction of Takumi Shimamura, designer, we developed a collection of user-friendly
objects.
From bento-boxes to trays, bowls and folding furniture, products are handmade
one by one using bending and folding techniques inherited from Edo period.
During festivals and celebrations, offerings are placed on the Sanbou tray as a gift to the divinities.
IWATA SANBOU SEISAKUSHO have been making SANBOU using Kiso Hinoki since the middle of the
Edo period.
This type of cypress has been used as a building material for shrines and
temples for 1000 years because of its durability, beautiful grain, and wonderful
fragrance.It is considered as a sacred tree suitable for building furniture and worship
objects in shrines and temples. Kiso Hinoki has a smooth feel, a strong antibacterial
effect, and a high hygroscopicity. It is also resistant to cracks and shrinkage.
In
recent years, Kiso Hinoki has become a valuable timber due to a sharp drop in production
resulting from soaring prices.
Kiso Hinoki log market in Nagano Prefecture. We sell the logs of the cypresses that we use as materials.
When bending a cypress board, soften the slit part with hot water to prevent it from breaking.
Bend the cypress boards by hand to fit the slits in the corners.
The cypress is cut to fit the boards (body) on the three sides, holes (eyes) are made with a mold, and some thin slits are cut in the corners to bend it into a cylindrical shape.
Make the rising part of the tray (Orishiki). Cut the cypress into slits at the corners, and glue the ends together.
The rising part of the tray is completed by stitching the terminal with the thin black bark of the birch cherry tree (binding) that will become the decoration.
After gluing the ridge and bottom, the protruding parts are finished by hand planing.
Specialized tools such as planes have been indispensable to the craftsmen at the nusa factory for 300 years in their production.
The well-dried cypress is sawn to match the thickness and size to the shape of the sanbou.
After applying glue to the end of the bend, secure it with a wooden clamp.
A bento-box that makes the best use of the lightness and antibacterial properties of the
KisoHinoki.Using the craftsmanship of SANBOU production that has been handed down in
Nagoya for 300 years, every bento-box is hand made one by one from wood processing to
finishing.
Like the bento wappa, it is a lid type bento that has a sufficient
capacity for adults with an inner length of 145 mm, width of 85 mm,and height of 53 mm
for rice and side dishes. Applying a color seal included to the main body, you can
quickly identify one bento-box from the others with the hole in the lid. Nusa bento box
comes with 6 different color seals.
Kiso Hinoki has a refreshing scent that goes well with rice as well as antibarterial
proprieties so you can use it with confidence for storing dried sweets and tea foods.
* If you are concerned about dirt, rub edible oil such as olive oil or flaxseed
oil with a dry cloth before using.
Lunch box supervision
Bento consultant / cook Yukako Nogami
A bento-box that makes the best use of the lightness and antibacterial properties of the
Kiso Hinoki.Using the craftsmanship of SANBOU production that has been handed down in
Nagoya for 300 years, every bento-box is hand made one by one from wood processing to
finishing.
Like the bento wappa, it is a lid type bento that has a sufficient
capacity for adults with an inner length of 145 mm, width of 85 mm, and height of 53 mm
for rice and side dishes. Applying a color seal included to the main body, you can
quickly identify one bento-box from the others with the hole in the lid. Nusa bento box
comes with 6 different color seals.
Kiso Hinoki has a refreshing scent that goes well
with rice as well as antibarterial proprieties so you can use it with confidence for
storing dried sweets and tea foods.
The BENTO+ series has a partition, useful for
side
dishes.
* If you are concerned about dirt, rub edible oil such as olive oil or
flaxseed oil with a dry cloth before using.
Lunch box supervision
Bento consultant / cook Yukako Nogami
A lacquered cypress bento-box that makes the best use of the lightness and antibacterial
properties of the Kiso Hinoki. Using the craftsmanship of SANBOU production that has
been handed down in Nagoya for 300 years, every bento-box is hand made one by one from
wood processing to
finishing.
The lacquer applied to the inside of the main body has antibacterial
properties and surface durability, so dirt can be easily removed. It will make the rice
slippery, so you can enjoy your meal comfortably.
Black and red have tones been developed matching ancient Japanese lacquer.
This bento is a lid type and has a hole like traditional Sanbou on the side. Applying a
color seal included to the main body, you can quickly identify one bento-box from the
others with the hole in the lid. Nusa bento box comes with 6 different color seals. In
addition to lunch box, it can also be used to store dried sweets and tea foods.
* If you are concerned about dirt, rub edible oil such as olive oil or flaxseed
oil with a dry cloth before using.
Lunch box supervision
Bento consultant / cook Yukako Nogami
A lacquered cypress bento-box that makes the best use of the lightness and antibacterial
properties of the Kiso Hinoki. Using the craftsmanship of SANBOU production that has
been handed down in Nagoya for 300 years, every bento-box is hand made one by one from
wood processing to
finishing.
The lacquer applied to the inside of the main body has antibacterial
properties and surface durability, so dirt can be easily removed. It will make the rice
slippery, so you can enjoy your meal comfortably.
Black and red have tones been developed matching ancient Japanese lacquer.
This bento is a lid type and has a hole like traditional Sanbou on the side. Applying a
color seal included to the main body, you can quickly identify one bento-box from the
others with the hole in the lid. Nusa bento box comes with 6 different color seals.
In addition to lunch box, it can also be used to store dried sweets and tea
foods.
The BENTO+ series has a partition, useful for side dishes.
* If you are concerned about dirt, rub edible oil such as olive oil or flaxseed
oil with a dry cloth before using.
Lunch box supervision
Bento consultant / cook Yukako Nogami
A special cloth bag that fits the NUSA BENTO series.
The outside is made of Mino
paper cloth (a fabric that woven with both washi paper and cotton yarn), and the inside
is made of antibacterial cloth. There is a pocket for chopsticks, spoon and fork, so
you can carry all-in-one.
Useful for daily trips, the bento bag can be easily brought
to school, company or vacations.It can be washed by hand.
A special furoshiki-style bag that can wrap the NUSA BENTO.
All-in-one with pockets
for chopsticks, spoon or fork. Convenient to carry.
At a mealtime, you can use
FROSHIKI as a table mat by laying it under BENTO.
The antibacterial processed special cloth is double sewn on the front and back to make
the bag robust for a daily use.
It can be washed by hand.
A fruit holder with a handle made of Kiso Hinoki. Easy to carry around, the fruit holder
will be a nice accent in your living room, kitchen or at the center of the table.
The natural color of cypress will match all kind of fruits and vegetable.
Before
using, it is recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
A fruit bowl with a tall handle made of Kiso Hinoki. Easy to carry around, the fruit
holder will be a nice accent in your living room, kitchen or at the center of the table.
It can also be used as a plate for sweets and ingredients.
The natural color of
cypress will match any kind of food and groceries.
Before using, it is recommended to
rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
A small tray made of Kiso Hinoki to carry sweets, desserts and drinks. It can be used
both as a tray and as a plate where ingredients are directly placed on wood surface,
thanks to the antibacterial proprieties of cypress.
It is designed to be paired with
TRAY-L, so you can employ multiple trays as a set to organize daily supplies.
Before
using, it is recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
A large cypress tray scaled to match the usual Japanese “teishoku” lunch set including
rice bowl, miso soup bowl, grilled fish plate, chopsticks and chopstick rest.
The
trimmed corners make it very convenient to handle, and the low sides will retain
droppings or crumbs.It is designed to be paired with TRAY-S, so you can employ multiple
trays as a set to organize daily supplies. Before using, it is recommended to rub edible
oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
A flat platter with an asymmetrical design. It can be used both as a tray and as a plate where ingredients are directly placed on wood surface, thanks to the antibacterial proprieties of cypress.Before using, it is recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
A long plate with handles made of Kiso Hinoki. It can be used both as a tray and as a plate where ingredients are directly placed on wood surface, thanks to the antibacterial proprieties of cypress. Before using, it is recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
A three-tiered cake stand that can be moved easily with the handle. Sweets can be placed
directly on wood surface, thanks to the antibacterial proprieties of cypress. Kiso
Hinoki will wrap desserts with a sweet and spicy fragrance.
Before using, it is
recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
A cake stand that protects sweets from drying for a long time. Desserts can be placed directly on wood surface, thanks to the antibacterial proprieties of cypress. Before using, it is recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
Hinoki has been used historically in various furniture (chairs, tables, shelves) related
to Shinto rituals at shrines and temples in Japan. The design of NUSA Coffee Table
recalls this humble furniture system. It consists of a side table that can be separated
and folded: you can use the tray alone indoor and outdoor.
It is possible to place
foods, groceries directly on wood surface, thanks to the antibacterial proprieties of
cypress. Before using, it is recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and
linseed oil.
Hinoki has been used historically in various furniture (chairs, tables, shelves) related
to Shinto rituals at shrines and temples in Japan. NUSA Folding Table recalls this
humble furniture system. Once folded, the table becomes a flat box, convenient for
storage.
It is possible to place foods, groceries directly on wood surface, thanks to
the antibacterial proprieties of cypress. You can use this table indoor and outdoor.
Before using, it is recommended to rub edible oils such as olive oil and linseed oil.
Since the middle of the Edo period and for generations, the company has been manufacturing Shinto, Buddhist and wedding furnishings with a focus on the Sanbou, a stand used to hold Shinto offerings. If the factory manufactures wooden products on a large scale, it is also a historical industry that has been designated as a traditional craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry（METI）. As a bearer of traditional industries, Iwata Sanbou is committed to provide products that enrich people’s daily lives. Across our new brand NUSA, we would like to put our gratitude for nature and life, which is part of Shintoism, into our products. http://iwata-ss.co.jp/
Providing a wide range of designs such as DOCOMO mobile phone terminals, automobiles and sightseeing buses, small-scale residences, interior space furniture and industrial products designs. Has won various awards such as the Japan Good Design Award. http://qurz.jp/
