Yamanaka Lacquerware x Armour Braided Cord Mug

[The finest drink of the day to enjoy at camp.]
A night alone in the great outdoors. Spend a blissful moment fuelling sake or coffee in your own high-quality camping gear while a campfire flickers in the background. Japanese traditional technology has been brought to life in an outdoor cup that is an essential part of camping gear, filling the dreams of such solo campers.
It can be used in a variety of situations, not only for camping, but also for mornings, teatime and evening drinks. "Kaga Kukusa" adds a special touch to your everyday life.

[Collaboration of two traditional techniques from Kaga.]
A collaboration between Kaga's 400-year-old Yamanaka-nuri lacquerware and a domestic zelkova mug made from Kaga's armoured braided cord, which is used for Japanese warriors' armour. Kaga Kukusa was created by combining two traditional techniques that Kaga is proud of and the Finnish name for the wooden cup, 'Kukusa', which means that the recipient of the gift will be happy." Kaga Kukusa, made using the traditional "Yamanaka Nuri" technique of vertical wood-turning, is an exquisite product that is not only refined in appearance, but is also sturdy and delicious to drink from.

The history of Yamanaka-nuri is said to date back 400 years to the Azuchi-Momoyama period and is one of Japan's outstanding traditional crafts.

[A design that achieves beauty and robustness]
Yamanaka-nuri is characterised by the beauty and warmth of its wood grain and annual rings. The beauty of the wood grain and annual rings is a sight to behold, and just admiring it lifts your spirits, while the warmth of the wood soothes you when you hold the cup.

The reason for the beauty of the grain and annual rings of Yamanaka-nuri lies in its unique manufacturing method. Yamanaka-nuri uses a vertical wood-turning process instead of the horizontal wood-turning used in the production process of common woodworking products. A Japanese zelkova log is cut into rings and the shape of the mug is taken in the direction in which the wood grows. The delicate nature of this work means that skilled craftsmanship is essential. The craftsmen then carefully shape the mugs one by one. The resulting wooden mugs have a unique beauty, with no two mugs looking the same.

Furthermore, the entire surface has a planed finish*, which makes it both non-slip and well-designed. The robust construction prevents distortion due to drying even after years of use, making it a 'camping gear for life'.
*Planed finish...A decorative technique in which a planer is used to remove the bare surface, leaving a design with marks where the planer has been scraped off.

[Custom-made armoured braided cord as adjuster belt]
A custom-made black and gold armoured braided cord is used as an adjuster belt. This braided cord allows the mug to fit securely in the hand. The warmth of the wood can be felt to the full. The custom-made braided cord is also finished with an 'agemakimusubi' knot, which is believed to bring good luck.

The 'agemakimusubi' knot is also used on the backs of armours displayed on the Boys' Festival and other festivals, and is an auspicious knot worn as a talisman to protect the defenceless behind and to hold the cord of life together.
*When loosening the knot to adjust the size, care must be taken or it will all come undone. If you want to tie the knot again, please follow the enclosed "How to tie the agemakimusubi knot".
*Because the braided cord has a tassel attached, it cannot be removed from the Kaga Kukusa cup.

[What makes alcohol and coffee taste so good?]
Each Kaga Kukusa is carefully crafted by Yamanaka-nuri artisans to be as thin as possible, with a mouthpiece of 1.5 to 3 mm. The "egg-shaped form", with a wide centre and a thin mouthpiece, enables a smooth, elegant and superb mouthfeel.

When alcohol or coffee is poured into the mug, the aroma is concentrated towards the mouth and tickles the nostrils in abundance. The round, egg-shaped form also slows down the flow, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of flavours such as sweetness, acidity and richness in a well-balanced way. Also, while most camping gear is made of stainless steel, the Kaga Kukusa is made of wood (zelkova), which has low thermal conductivity, so that your hands and mouthpiece do not get hot even when pouring hot drinks. It is a great product for those who want to enjoy better tasting drinks and coffee when camping.

[A lifelong masterpiece for those who love the genuine product.]
The Kaga Kukusa is carefully finished by one craftsman per process, including grounding, roughing, turning and painting, using expert techniques. The production period is about 4-5 months. It is a product of painstaking attention to detail that will satisfy even the most discerning connoisseurs of authenticity.

"Yamanaka-nuri" craftsmen make everything from the forging tools they use by hand. The craftsmen at Yamanaka Lacquerware handcraft their own original cups, the only one in the world, using only the finest blacksmithing tools, and skilled techniques backed up by many years of skill and experience. Please come and experience the charm.