Hinoki Kimasu Containers

Founded in 1924 by Narajiro Umezawa, the company initially produced wooden buttons for military uniforms during the Pacific War. However, during the post-war reconstruction period, it began crafting a range of other wooden items, including dining tables and washboards. Umezawa remains a small woodworking business located in Mie Prefecture, part of the Kansai region in Japan. Situated between Japan’s most famous timber-producing areas, like Gifu and Nara prefectures. While most of their competitors have transitioned to machines, Umezawa continues to make all pieces meticulously by hand