Made in Hokkaido using local wood, this is a series of dishware that can be used from Japan’s traditional “okuizome” first meal ceremony for a newborn baby held around the 100th day after the birth. The name “Friends from the Forest” is based on the idea that the trees in the forests of Hokkaido change their appearances to become durable dishware to help babies with their meals and always stay close to them as friends.
Chiemoku is a small woodworking studio in Sapporo City, dedicated to production of handmade wooden tableware, all using only wood from Hokkaido. For this series, Japanese Alder wood grown in Hokkaido is used mainly.
Japanese Alder is a widely distributed broadleaf tree found throughout the country from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Focusing on the fact that alders grow very fast but are rarely used as lumber, Chiemoku has selected the tree for the material of the products with the aim of contributing to the sustainable forest management.
The cute items are designed by Mr. Naoki Takahashi born in Hokkaido and currently based in Sapporo City. Aimed at delivering products that are truly functional, the series is created by not only focusing on the cute appearances, but also paying careful attention to the ease of use for mothers who hold the baby with one arm while feeding baby food with the other hand. Ingenuity in usability can be found in every detail of the products, which are grip-friendly, hard to tip over and resistant to breakage when dropped.
Believing that applying the wood with water-repellent and stain-resistant coating is of utmost importance as dishware is intended to use every day, the company has employed a non-thinner glass coating after trying various methods. It has superb anti-stain performance and prevents degradation of the coating layer while being safe for babies to use because it uses alcohol-based solvent.