The set of tableware, which offers the warmth of the Nara oak wood from Hokkaido, contains an ozen table/tray, chopsticks, a chopstick rest and a coaster. Nara oak that produces acorns has been appreciated as a symbol of good luck in Japan. All made of Nara oak, each item is carefully crafted by artisans in Higashikawa Town in Hokkaido.
The Zen tray offers the best of both worlds. It is slightly high like an “ozen” table while making it easier to grab like a tray. The design is made simple to complement the food but also exudes dignified beauty. The square chopsticks are easier to hold and do not roll on the table. Also, their length and thickness have been well thought-out to make them comfortable to use for both men and women. The chopstick rest is inspired by the bow-tie shaped “chigiri” used in the traditional Japanese wood joinery to bond pieces together, which also carries the hope for a long-lasting happy relationship. The coaster has a simple square design but all four sides are cut diagonally for easy handling and finished with food-safe paint comprised of oil and urethane to enhance the natural texture of the wood.
Zen items employ a lot of squares in their designs. This was influenced by “the Four Squares of Life,” an idea advocated by Florence Scovel Shinn. The American philosopher calls “health,” “wealth,” “relationships” and “self-expression” the four elements that make up happiness. A person is unlikely to feel happy if any of them is lacking because happiness can only be felt when all of the elements are maintained in good balance. Based on this idea, Zen is imbued with the company’s wish that all people involved in the product will be happy.