New · Made in Fukui, Japan
Wakasa-nuri, Obama · natural wood, lacquer · two boxed pairs with rests
Wakasa Lacquer Chopsticks, Black Cat and Daruma
Two pairs of Wakasa lacquer chopsticks, each in its own paulownia box with a matching rest: a black cat reaching up for red camellias, and a row of round red daruma.
$40 Free shipping to 32 countries
Order by November 20 to make sure it arrives before Christmas.
We ship to mainland China: free, tracked. Import duties, if any, are paid on delivery. Where we ship
$32 when added to any other piece in your order: it travels in the same box.
Leaves Fukuoka within one week by tracked airmail.
What buyers say · ★★★★★ on Etsy
Amy · United States
“I was searching for a unique wedding gift for my best friend, who is deeply passionate about Japanese culture, and I'm so glad I found Maison Homura. Being a new shop, I was a bit hesitant at first, but the experience was flawless from start to finish.”
Read the full review“I was searching for a unique wedding gift for my best friend, who is deeply passionate about Japanese culture, and I'm so glad I found Maison Homura. Being a new shop, I was a bit hesitant at first, but the experience was flawless from start to finish. The seller provided exceptional support, answering all my questions about the historical significance of the Sakazuki set and even giving detailed advice on how to care for the delicate lacquer. What impressed me most was the proactive communication—I received tracking updates at every stage without even having to ask. The package arrived in the US in just 6 days, a full 2 days earlier than expected! The presentation was beautiful, and the quality of the cinnabar lacquer is even more breathtaking in person.”
2 more from buyers
“Received updates regarding the item I purchased and when it arrived could tell that it was packed with care; my fragile ceramic bunny arrived in perfect condition! A wonderful purchase and I would buy from this shop again”
Jessica · United States
“Item was as described and in photos shown. Excellent quality. Seller very knowledgable and took the time to explain everything”
Tiang N. · Australia
- Made in Japan. Wakasa lacquer, from Fukui prefecture.
- New, never used. Checked and packed by hand in Fukuoka.
- Returns within 14 days of delivery. Not right? Send it back as it came and we refund the full price, return postage included.
- Packed safely, sent by tracked airmail within one week. Order $100 or more and it flies EMS express.
Duties, checkout and extras
- ★ 5.0 on Etsy · Star Seller. Read the reviews ↗
- Import tax. It depends on your country; if any is due, it is collected on delivery.
- US import duties. Already included in the price: nothing to pay at your door.
- Secure checkout by Stripe — cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay. No account needed.
- Two pieces, one parcel. Each extra piece in the same order is $15 off at checkout.
- Orders of $200 or more travel with a gift to keep: Japanese chopsticks with a rest in a paulownia box, or a Nara kaya-cloth handkerchief.
The story
Obama, a small port town on the Sea of Japan in Fukui, makes most of the lacquered chopsticks used in Japan. Wakasa-nuri, the lacquer of this coast, goes back to the early 1600s and is known for pieces inlaid with shell and gold leaf. These are everyday pairs from the same town: lacquered wood, with the cat and the daruma painted at the tips.
The meaning
In Japanese, hashi, chopsticks, sounds like hashi, a bridge, so a pair is given as a bridge to good fortune. The cat and camellias ask for luck in the house. The daruma, who always rolls back up, asks for a good year.
The craft
Natural wood with a lacquer finish, 23 cm long. The rests are acrylic, shaped as a camellia and a daruma. Details can vary slightly from one batch to the next. Made in Obama, Fukui; the box carries the maker's mark, ISSOU.
How it comes
Two paulownia boxes, 27.5 cm long, as the maker packs them. Wash by hand; not for the dishwasher.
How it travels
Packed safely, insured in full
Every piece is packed by hand in Fukuoka inside a sturdy 3 mm corrugated carton, cushioned all round with air pillows so it cannot move. It travels with tracking all the way to your door: by EMS, insured for its full value, on orders of $100 or more, and by tracked airmail below that.
A question about this piece — size, marks, condition? Ask the house, we answer within a day.