We are grateful to receive support from all the amazing Backers.
Our project was fully funded within 5 days of launch at Kickstarter and have finished on April 30.
But it doesn't stop there.
We are busy producing. Please continue to follow this project as it evolves to give you access to more wonder crafts of Japan!
Redefining Hakata Magemono Bentwood Craft
博多曲物の再定義
We invite you to reimagine the past, live the present, and craft the future.
Explore the depths of "Magemono" Japanese bent-ware artistry and be the author of
your own Story of Bent-ware 「マゲモノガタリ」
The Town
Maidashi, Fukuoka Japan
Hakozaki Shrine is known as the the birthplace of Hakata region bentwood craft where the umbilical cord of Emperor Ojin (201AD) was placed in side a bentwood box and buried at the shrine.
One block away is Maidashi district. It was once a flourishing town where many Shrine officials and workers resided. Up until 1930s, the street leading to the Shrine was lined with over 20 family-run craft workshops making shingle roof boards and bent-wood ritual vessels. Skills are styles of each family were passed down for generations. The area’s bent-wood craft used to be called "Maidashi Magemono" 馬出曲物, named after the district. It has since be renamed as "Hakata Magemono” as municipal redevelop and rename the region.
Currently there are only 2 heritage families (ShibataToku and Shibata Tamaki) in Fukuoka producing Hakata magemono. Shibata-Toku (established 1850) is the only one remaining in the original location of Maidashi.
The Creator
Taketombo Corp.
Goenne.com
Taketombo, established in 2018, is a social enterprise devoted to the revitalization of Japanese Traditional crafts through creative intervention and activities.
The Magemonogatari Project (adopted as "Beyond Bento" in English), was initiated in 2021, aiming to leverage a new magemono product to re-energize the Craft, re-evaluating the value of handmade objects, and building new overseas interests. In May 2023, with the retirement of master artisan Mr. Morita, we witnessed in real-time a Japanese crafts dwindled. We want to use this project to bring awareness to the importance in sustaining this craft. For anyone (including us) home-based in Fukuoka, Hakata magemono is the city’s cultural heritage and pride of “Fukuokans”.
The project was selected as finalists in 2023 25th annual Fukuoka Design Award.
The Maker
ShibataToku Bentwood Shop
Few centuries ago, the bustling main street of Maidashi was lined with magemono bent-wood shops ran by 20 some families. ShibataToku Shoten is one of them and now the only one remaining in its original location. 5th Generation artisan TokuGoro Shibata had led bentwood craft to become Fukuoka City's Intangible Culture. In 2017, 6th generation Ms. Yoshiko Shibata took over the heritage business and operate with master craftsman Mr. Taizo Morita with over 50 years of bentwood experience. However, the days where you can see and hear artisans working at the shop-front on Maidashi's main street is long gone.
Like most traditional craft in Japan, for years ShibataToku has been unable to find any apprentice. In 2023, at age 78, Mr. Morita announced his retirement. With no successor, owner Ms. Shibata, now in her 60s, plans to continue the family business for as long as she can until her own retirement. ShibataToku now accepts special orders and produces very limited items.
Unleash the potential of the iconic bentwood box.
The Box
Introducing Beyond Bento 1.0 "The Basic"
Hand-made in Fukuoka, Japan
DIMENSION
Overall outside dimension
24 x 9 x 7.2cm
9.45" x 3.5" x 2.8"
Top Tier inside dimension
23 x 8.2 x 1.6cm depth
9" x 3.2" x 0.6"
Bottom Tier inside dimension
23 x 8.2 x 3.5cm depth
9" x 3.2" x 1.4"
MATERIAL All Japan locally-grown material (raw finish):
4mm Japanese Cedar from Kyushu
Sakura Tree Bark from Akita
ACCESSORIES (the basic)
1 short cedar notched-divider & 1 elastic Band
The Box Plus
Tall notched divider
The tall divider can be used to partition the box, or use the notches for brushes, pens, or craft tools like spatulas.
Platform insert
Sub-divide the bottom box to create second-layered space and increase storage capacity
"The Basic" plus 2 accessories
Breathing new life into a timeless craft.
No longer about “microwaveability” or “thermal properties”, in 2024, Hakata Magemono bentware's conversation shifts to building cultural narratives and driving social & environmental impact, while embracing the beauty of natural materials and the artisan's touch.
BeyondBento 1.0
Basic
+
Tall holder & Platform divider
1 platform +
1 tall notched-divider
2 specially-designed wood accessories to enhance functionality. The Tall Holder is made to separate various spatulas or brushes. The Platform Insert sub-divide the bottom box to give your 2-tier capacity.
+
Engraving
Engraving Service
Order laser engraving service and mark the box for any memorable occasion.
Urushi lacquering kit
If you like Japanese lacquer craft, DIY and stain your own box. Fuki-urushi is a traditional lacquer rubbing technique that coats the wood to enhance durability and make the box water-resistant.
+
Add stackable tier (short)
Stack it tall
Add additional tier for additional storage capacity
+
Add stackable tier (tall)
Stack it tallerrr
Add additional tier for additional storage capacity
+
Lacquer-staining online craft lesson
Proceeds from Phase 1.0 on Kickstarter will support to produce more digital contents to learn
Japanese crafts!
May 2024
+
"Gyoza" the carrying case
Upcoming...
Will you support our product development and learn about a heritage artisanal textile from Japan?
Proceeds from Phase 1.0 on Kickstarter will help us push forward development of this carrying case and more accessories!
Kickoff Summer 2024
Reviving a traditional craft textile
Partnering with historic textile artisans, we utilize a traditional Japanese "workmen's" textile to create a multi-functional carrying case for our Beyond Bento box.
Beyond Bento 1.0 Project Objective
Craft your Tale
BB1.0 is a platform for personalization. We empower individuals to weave their unique narratives into each box. With personalizable aesthetics and open-end functionality, a craft object is a carrier of stories and cultural legacies, where its meaning and value are preserved and continued with one's ownership and usage.
Global Reach . Local Impact
By introducing this forgotten craft to burgeoning overseas audience, we kindle curiosity and interests. With that we re-establish magemono's significance for daily use and re-ignite pride and appreciation of handmade bentwood craft objects with the young generation in Japan.
Reviving an Eco-friendly Tradition,
Inspiring Modernity
Bridging Japanese craftsmanship and timeless Japanese aesthetics to meet contemporary demand, capturing the attention of a diverse and dynamic user group. A reminder of "the Forgotten Normal" to current generation of consumers, on quality hand-made objects and respect for nature.
Craft Movement Activation
Through one beautifully crafted object, the integrated program offers additional immersive experiences:
-
Online workshops to learn new traditional crafts.
-
Create new connections with multiple craft material to tell artisans' stories or other crafts. e.g. Japanese lacquer grower, traditional woven textile etc...
This experiential approach ignites interest in a variety of traditional Japanese crafts, fostering cultural understanding and creativity, triggering revitalization activities in multiple crafts industries.
There was a time when plastic wrap, microwave and dishwashing machine didn't exist. It was also a time when no one was worrying about environmental pollution and micro-plastics in our food.
People respects Nature for what it provides.
Be INSPIRED by Japanese Craft Intelligence.
REVITALIZE and REINVENT ma-ge-mono wooden boxes.
Travelers, Foodies, Travel Sketchers, Calligraphers,
Sewing & Mending Crafters, Kintsugi Practicioners, Creators...
Build you story with BeyondBento 1.0
Embark on a transformative journey in redefining an iconic bentwood bento box, through creative usage ideas and enhanced configuration flexibility,
breathing new life into a timeless craft.
urban sketcher, travel painter, Artist on-the-go
architectural designer, graphic designer, illustrator
foodies
urban sketcher, travel painter, Artist on-the-go
Why urushi lacquering?
The Hakata Bent-wood box is crafted using Japanese cedar from Kyushu and cherry tree bark from Akita. Artisans skillfully employ all-natural materials to imbue the box with the delightful aroma of cedar, preserving its inherent ability to regulate moisture for rice storage. As the natural wood finish matures, the resulting patina is admired as a testament to the soulfulness of this utilitarian craft object.
Establishing an emotional connection with one's own box often leads to the application of urushi Japanese lacquer, another "Gift from Nature." This coating not only introduces new aesthetics but also serves to repair blemishes, extend the box's lifespan, and impart water-resistance, durability, and anti-bacterial properties.
Upon retirement, the box gracefully returns to nature, leaving behind a minimal ecological footprint. This embodies the essence of the Japanese "mottainai" (waste no more) culture.
Transcends being a mere container; Beyond Bento serves as a canvas for
storytelling and self-expression.
By encouraging users to weave their personal narratives through this handmade box, it melds
timeless Japanese craftsmanship with one's unique learning adventures.
2023 Fukuoka Design Award
Beyond Bento 1.0 (magemonogatari 1.0 )
was selected as one of the finalists to exhibit at the 25th Annual Fukuoka Design Award
Endless Possibilities
Join us to explore the endless possibilities.
Find love and joy in a classic bento box.
We are already looking forward to 2.0, 3.0.... to come.
