Umezawa Sawara Cypress 36cm Hangiri - Authentic Japanese Sushi Bowl

5. Who is this for?

1. The Professional Sushi Chef Who Wants Authentic Tools

You work in or own a restaurant and need professional-grade equipment that honors tradition while delivering consistent results for your customers.

2. The Home Enthusiast Who Wants to Elevate Their Craft

You've mastered the basics of sushi making at home and are now investing in authentic tools to achieve restaurant-quality results and deepen your culinary practice.

3. The Japanese Culture Aficionado Who Wants Authentic Connection

You appreciate Japanese craftsmanship and tradition, seeking authentic items that connect you to the culture beyond surface-level consumption.

4. The Gift Giver Who Wants a Meaningful and Impressive Present

You're looking for a standout gift for a food-loving friend or family member—something that shows thoughtfulness, quality, and unique character.

5. The Content Creator Who Wants Authentic Visuals and Stories

You produce food, lifestyle, or cultural content and need authentic, photogenic props that add credibility and visual appeal to your work.

Perfect Sushi Rice Every Time

The bowl's gentle moisture absorption cools rice to the ideal temperature and texture, giving each grain the perfect shine and bite that chefs strive for.

Food Stops Sticking, So You Stop Struggling

Seasoned cypress wood creates a naturally non-stick surface. Your rice and vinegar mixture folds smoothly without clumping or tearing, making the process effortless.

Built to Last for Generations

Made with century-old wood and hand-riveted copper, this isn't a tool you replace. It's a family heirloom that performs better with each use.

Your Kitchen Stays Naturally Cleaner

Sawara Cypress has natural antibacterial properties, helping to inhibit unwanted odors and microbes for a more hygienic food preparation surface.

Turn Meal Prep into a Calming Ritual

The gentle scent of cypress and the solid, balanced feel in your hands transform cooking from a chore into a mindful, satisfying experience.

Achieve Authentic Restaurant Quality at Home

This is the exact tool used by sushi masters. It gives you direct control over rice texture, unlocking the true flavor of your ingredients.

Easy Care, No Harsh Chemicals Needed

Forget dish soap. A simple rinse with water is all it needs. The natural lacquer protects the wood, making cleanup quick and chemical-free.

A Beautiful Centerpiece for Your Kitchen

The warm wood grain and gleaming copper band make this bowl a stunning display piece that sparks conversation about craftsmanship and good food.

Sawara Cypress Wood — Sourced from sustainable forests in Chiba, Japan, known for its fine grain and perfect moisture-wicking properties. Hand-Forged Copper Band — Made from 99.9% pure copper, riveted by hand for lifelong structural integrity. 3-Layer Urushi Lacquer — Food-safe, natural lacquer applied in Fukui Prefecture for a smooth, easy-clean finish. 36cm Professional Diameter — The ideal size for making sushi rice for 4-6 people or a large family meal. Traditional Kigoroshi Joinery — A woodworking technique that locks the staves together without nails or glue. GMP-Certified Workshop — Manufactured in a facility meeting Japan's strict Good Manufacturing Practice standards for food safety. 100-Year Growth Wood — Each bowl uses wood from cypress trees aged over 100 years for superior stability. Artisan-Trained Craftsmanship — Each maker completes a 10-year apprenticeship before crafting a Hangiri. Natural Antibacterial Properties — The cypress wood contains 'hinokitiol,' a compound that inhibits microbial growth. Perfect Weight Balance — Weighs 2.1kg for steady use without fatigue during rice mixing. Lifetime Shape Guarantee — The copper band ensures the bowl will never warp or lose its round shape.

1. Before First Use: Rinse the bowl with cool water and pat dry. Do not use soap. 2. Seasoning (Key Step): Fill the bowl with warm, cooked sushi rice. Gently mix the rice with a rice paddle for 2-3 minutes. This allows the wood's natural oils to activate. Discard this rice. 3. For Sushi Rice: Add your freshly cooked, seasoned sushi rice to the bowl. Using a cutting motion with a rice paddle, fold and cool the rice to the perfect temperature and texture. 4. Cleaning: Only use a soft cloth and cool water immediately after use. Never soak or use dish soap. Air dry completely upside down. Timeline Expectations: Week 1: The bowl may have a strong cypress scent which will fade. Week 2-3: The wood's patina begins to develop, improving non-stick performance. Week 4+: Your bowl is fully seasoned, offering peak performance and a beautiful, unique appearance.

Umezawa Woodcraft was founded in 1921 in Yamanashi by a family of master coopers. For decades, sushi chefs struggled with rice sticking to metal or plastic bowls, which ruined the delicate texture and flavor. Our founder created the first Hangiri to solve this. He chose Sawara Cypress for its unique, gentle moisture control and natural antibacterial properties. Every bowl is still made in our GMP-certified workshop, where artisans train for over 10 years. This specific 36cm model is our most popular, consistently holding a top-3 ranking in its category with over 1,200 verified 5-star reviews for its perfect balance and craftsmanship.

The Umezawa Sawara Cypress 36cm Hangiri is crafted from authentic Japanese Sawara cypress wood, a premium material selected for its unique properties in sushi preparation. Sawara cypress, known for its fine grain and natural moisture-wicking ability, is the sole ingredient in this product, as it is a traditional wooden bowl without additional components like lacquers or adhesives. This wood is included because it gently absorbs excess moisture from sushi rice while allowing it to cool evenly, which is crucial for achieving the ideal texture and flavor in sushi. The benefits to the user include enhanced rice consistency, as the wood prevents clumping and maintains the rice's delicate balance of stickiness and separation, while its natural antimicrobial properties promote hygiene. Additionally, the bowl's craftsmanship ensures durability and an authentic culinary experience, making it a professional-grade tool for sushi chefs and enthusiasts seeking traditional Japanese quality.

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.

Umezawa Woodcraft is dedicated to preserving the art of Japanese functional woodcraft for modern kitchens. Our mission is to create heirloom-quality tools that make professional results achievable at home. We own our manufacturing workshop in Yamanashi, Japan, where we control every step—from selecting century-old cypress trees to the final hand-applied lacquer. We combine traditional joinery techniques, like our patented copper banding, with GMP-certified hygiene standards to ensure every product is safe, durable, and truly authentic.

Sold as a premium authentic Japanese sushi-making essential, often presented in specialty kitchenware stores, Japanese culinary shops, and online marketplaces focusing on professional-grade cooking tools.