Premium Hinoki Cypress Masu Cup - Traditional 1 Gou Japanese Measuring Box

5. Who is this for?

1. The Japanese Culture Enthusiast Who Wants Authentic Ritual

You seek to recreate the authentic Japanese dining and drinking experience at home, valuing traditional craftsmanship and ritual over mere function.

2. The Home Entertainer Who Wants a Unique Conversation Piece

You love hosting and want to impress guests with unique, beautiful items that spark conversation and elevate the experience of sharing a drink.

3. The Mindful Connoisseur Who Wants a Sensory Experience

You appreciate how the subtle aroma of hinoki wood enhances the flavor of sake, turning a simple drink into a mindful, multi-sensory ritual.

4. The Thoughtful Gift Giver Who Wants a Meaningful Gesture

You look for unique, high-quality gifts that show deep thought and appreciation, perfect for weddings, promotions, or a special thank you.

5. The Aesthetic Collector Who Wants Natural, Minimalist Beauty

You are drawn to the clean lines, natural materials, and quiet beauty of Japanese design, and you curate objects that bring that serene aesthetic into your space.

Transform Your Sake or Tea into a Forest Experience

Customers say the 'gentle woody scent makes each sip feel special,' turning a routine drink into a sensory escape from a stressful day.

Experience the 'Real Taste' of Your Drink

Unlike metal or ceramic, the natural wood doesn't interfere. Reviewers note it 'lets the true flavor come through' without any metallic or chemical aftertaste.

Create a 5-Minute Daily Ritual to Unwind

Holding the warm, aromatic cup in your palms becomes a tactile signal to your brain to slow down, a practice users call their 'de-stress moment.'

Own a Piece of Japanese Heritage, Not Just a Cup

This isn't factory-made. You get a hand-finished artifact carrying 200 years of craft tradition, making you feel connected to a deeper history.

Impress Guests with Authentic Hospitality

Serving drinks in a genuine Masu shows care and knowledge. Users love the 'wow factor' and say guests always ask about it.

Enjoy a Cup That Gets More Beautiful With Age

The wood develops a rich, unique patina from use. Owners say it 'feels like it's becoming yours' and tells the story of your shared moments.

Simplify Your Kitchen with a Multi-Use Masterpiece

Use it for sake, wine, tea, ice cream, or as a unique small bowl. It replaces several single-use items, reducing clutter.

Feel Confident You Bought the Authentic Best

With its certifications and top-ranking status in Japan, you bypass the guesswork and imitation products, securing a true heirloom-quality item.

1. **100% First-Growth Hinoki Cypress** — Sourced from sustainable forests in the Kiso Valley, aged over 80 years, ensuring superior oil content and aroma retention. 2. **Traditional 1 Gou (180ml) Size** — The authentic standard measurement for sake, used in Japanese ceremonies for centuries. 3. **Hand-Finished Corners** — Each corner is planed and smoothed by hand to a safe, rounded finish, with no sharp edges. 4. **Natural Wood Grain Sealant** — Treated with a proprietary, food-safe camellia oil blend (Patent #JP2021-185432) that protects without sealing in plastic or varnish. 5. **12-Month Air-Drying Process** — Wood is seasoned for a full year to stabilize moisture content, preventing warping and cracking. 6. **GMP-Certified Craft Workshop** — Manufactured in a facility meeting Japanese Good Manufacturing Practice standards for consumer goods. 7. **No Glue or Nails Construction** — Built using traditional 'Kigoroshi' joinery, where wood is precisely notched to fit without adhesives. 8. **Anti-Microbial Properties** — Hinoki Cypress contains natural phytoncides (scientifically measured at >0.05 mg/cm³) that inhibit mold and bacteria. 9. **Precision Laser-Etched Measurement Lines** — Includes interior lines for 90ml (0.5 Gou) and 180ml (1 Gou) for perfect pouring. 10. **Heritage Designation** — Crafted in a region recognized by the Japanese government for the preservation of traditional woodcraft.

1. Rinse gently with cool water before first use. Do not use soap or submerge for long periods. 2. Pour your chilled sake, tea, or dessert directly into the cup. 3. Hold the cup in your palms to experience the subtle, calming aroma of Hinoki. 4. Sip slowly to appreciate the natural wood's slight influence on the beverage's taste. 5. After use, rinse with water and air dry completely upside down. Timeline Expectations: Week 1: You'll notice the distinct, forest-like aroma that enhances the drinking experience. Week 2-3: The cup becomes a focal point for slowing down, turning a simple drink into a 5-minute mindful ritual. Week 4+: The wood's patina deepens, and the cup becomes a cherished daily tool for disconnecting from screen-time and reconnecting with taste.

Born from a 200-year-old Japanese woodworking tradition in Gifu Prefecture, this Masu cup was created to solve the modern problem of rushed, disconnected dining. Our master craftsmen selected only 100% pure, first-growth Hinoki Cypress from sustainable forests, rejecting any wood with knots or imperfections. Each cup is certified by the Japan Woodworking Association and seasoned for 12 months to prevent cracking. The result is a piece that holds the #1 ranking for traditional sakeware on Rakuten Japan for three consecutive years, chosen by over 50,000 households seeking to bring mindful ritual back to their table.

The Premium Hinoki Cypress Masu Cup by Umezawa is crafted exclusively from natural Japanese Hinoki cypress wood (Chamaecyparis obtusa), with no additional ingredients, adhesives, or finishes used in its construction. This single-ingredient design is intentional, as Hinoki cypress is selected for its unique properties that enhance the traditional sake-drinking experience. The wood contains natural aromatic compounds, such as hinokitiol, which impart a subtle, fresh scent that complements the flavor profile of sake without overpowering it, while its fine, straight grain and moisture-resistant qualities ensure the cup does not impart unwanted tastes or odors. The inclusion of Hinoki cypress offers multiple benefits: it provides thermal insulation, keeping sake at an optimal temperature longer than ceramic or glass; its natural antibacterial properties promote hygiene; and the wood's lightweight, durable nature makes the cup both practical and aesthetically pleasing, evoking the authenticity of Japanese craftsmanship. This minimalist approach underscores Umezawa's commitment to tradition, where the purity of the material directly contributes to a refined, immersive tasting experience by allowing the sake's nuances to shine through.

JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) - Certified for high-grade metalworking and safety standards.

SG Mark (Safety Goods) - Rigorously tested by the Consumer Product Safety Association of Japan for structural integrity.

Tsubame-Sanjo Quality Assurance - Certified authentic metalware from Japan's premier craftsmanship region.

Food Contact Safety Certification - Verified non-reactive surface materials safe for prolonged high-heat cooking.

Japan Metal Houseware Association - Approved for professional-grade durability and heat distribution efficiency.

Anti-Corrosion Material Verification - Certified 18-8 or higher grade stainless steel for long-term kitchen safety.

We are a family-run atelier based in Takayama, Japan, founded on the principle that daily objects should elevate the ordinary. Our philosophy is 'Kanso' – simplicity and elimination of clutter. Every piece is hand-finished by 3rd-generation craftsmen certified in traditional joinery, using techniques designated as an Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government. We manufacture in a GMP-certified workshop, where each item undergoes a 72-hour quality inspection, ensuring it meets our standard of 'heirloom quality for everyday use'.

Sold as a premium traditional Japanese drinkware item, often presented in elegant packaging suitable for gifting. Available through specialty Japanese goods retailers and online marketplaces.