I began this box on November 11, which made me think of chopsticks standing side by side. That image led me to design this piece, titled "Sushi Box," using a few pieces of Hinoki I had on hand. I chose to number it 11 in my "Little Boxes Series" as a quiet reference to chopsticks.
Hinoki is a wood long revered in Japan and traditionally used to build temples, baths, and sacred spaces. Its pale color, smooth grain, and natural aroma give it a sense of quiet refinement. In Japanese tradition, Hinoki represents purity and calm. These are qualities I wanted to bring into this piece.
The bottom is made from walnut, a wood not historically used in Japanese joinery but increasingly appreciated in contemporary Japanese-influenced fine furniture. Walnut is admired for its deep tone, elegance, and quiet strength. It complements the lightness of the Hinoki above.
The interior has been treated with a food-safe finish and is sized just right to serve a small plate of sushi. It is not only a symbolic piece but a functional one, meant to be used and enjoyed.
The lid is joined to the box with a custom wooden hinge. It features an all-wood design with seven interlocking knuckles, connected by six small hidden metal rods. The hinge is a quiet point of pride, shaped with care to reflect the simplicity and precision of traditional Japanese joinery.
Resting across the lid are two hand-carved chopsticks, also made from Hinoki. Their placement is intentional. In Japanese culture, the position of chopsticks carries deep meaning. These lie flat and parallel to reflect harmony and readiness. They are not decorative. They are tools, symbolic of life, meals shared, connections made, and the small, mindful rituals that nourish us.
This is, quite literally, a sushi box. But it is also something more. My goal was to blend old and new, combining traditional materials and techniques with modern purpose and design. It is a tribute to heritage, utility, and the quiet beauty of objects made with care.
Little Boxes Series, #11
I began this box on November 11, which made me think of chopsticks standing side by side. That image led me to design this piece, titled "Sushi Box," using a few pieces of Hinoki I had on hand. I chose to number it 11 in my "Little Boxes Series" as a quiet reference to chopsticks.
Hinoki is a wood long revered in Japan and traditionally used to build temples, baths, and sacred spaces. Its pale color, smooth grain, and natural aroma give it a sense of quiet refinement. In Japanese tradition, Hinoki represents purity and calm. These are qualities I wanted to bring into this piece.
The bottom is made from walnut, a wood not historically used in Japanese joinery but increasingly appreciated in contemporary Japanese-influenced fine furniture. Walnut is admired for its deep tone, elegance, and quiet strength. It complements the lightness of the Hinoki above.
The interior has been treated with a food-safe finish and is sized just right to serve a small plate of sushi. It is not only a symbolic piece but a functional one, meant to be used and enjoyed.
The lid is joined to the box with a custom wooden hinge. It features an all-wood design with seven interlocking knuckles, connected by six small hidden metal rods. The hinge is a quiet point of pride, shaped with care to reflect the simplicity and precision of traditional Japanese joinery.
Resting across the lid are two hand-carved chopsticks, also made from Hinoki. Their placement is intentional. In Japanese culture, the position of chopsticks carries deep meaning. These lie flat and parallel to reflect harmony and readiness. They are not decorative. They are tools, symbolic of life, meals shared, connections made, and the small, mindful rituals that nourish us.
This is, quite literally, a sushi box. But it is also something more. My goal was to blend old and new, combining traditional materials and techniques with modern purpose and design. It is a tribute to heritage, utility, and the quiet beauty of objects made with care.
Little Boxes Series, #11
