Kiri Rice Bin – Capacity Of 2kg, Special Made By Senshuu Tomekawa

Kiri Rice Bin – Capacity Of 2kg

Kiri Rice Bin is a handmade storage bin (for rice, coffee, etc.) made by Kiri Tansu artisans.

By using the special characteristics of Kiri Wood (Paulownia Wood) that absorbs moisture, which help the artisans to raise the airtightness of the rice bin even more, this rice bin will be able to protect rice from moisture and insects, as well as to sustains the taste of rice. Suitable for person who live alone or household who consume less rice, it's a compact size rice bin (about the size of 3 milk cartons) that fits nicely into the refrigerator door pocket.

This product was developed by the fourth generation of Senshuu Tomekawa, Mr. Tomekawa Noboru. Kiri cabinet is made with good airtightness, it’s a very good place as a storage for clothes because it can avoid moisture. The benefit of kiri cabinet will be applied to the Kiri Rice Bin as well, the rice bin will be able to protect the rice from moisture.

The manufacturer uses kiri wood that has been dried thoroughly, after drying this product below the sun, we also using the artificial drying machines. Though this drying process, even if the thing you will store inside the product contains some moisture, kiri wood will absorb the moisture, so you can prevent the occurrence of mold. Also, even if it’s surrounded by high humidity, since the kiri wood will absorb the moisture, it will prevent the moisture from entering the storage.

The bin's lid is not an easy-made one-layer board lid, it's made with high airtight so that things inside the bin can be protected firmly. Its airtightness is high enough to prevent the lid from falling even if you shake the bin.

The board is about 7mm in thickness. If the board is thin, it will cause deformation. On the contrary, it will become heavy if it’s too thick. Because we want you to use it for a long time, we made it with an ideal thickness that is strong and easy to use.

We also applied a method that makes the board hard to be broken, so you don’t have to worry about its strength.

Also, when the lid is removed and turned over, the inside is hollow and can be used to measure the amount of rice. If you fill rice up to the line on the inner side of lid, the amount is right about 1合* or 150 grams of rice.

* Note: 合 (gou) is a Japanese unit of measurement, usually used to measure rice, sake, etc. (1合 equal to approx. 150 grams, 0,18 liters, or 0,33 metres square).

A non-slip groove is engraved on the side of the bin's body, making it easier to grip and lift the bin. It is a product that the craftsman's commitment can be felt even in its smallest part.

Characteristics of Kiri Wood

Protector Against Humidity

Among the kind of woods, Kiri wood is one of a rare wood in category of moisture absorption. The duct inside the wood can hinders the passage of water, and because the holes in fiber membranes are small, once it got dried, it will be difficult for water to break through inside.

High Level of Airtightness

Kiri wood inflated to moist outside air to prevent moisture from the outside. Conversely, when the air dries moisture will diverge and shrinks. Since kiri wood is sensitive to humidity, it has excellent airtightness, which able to keep the internal humidity constant, resulting in a long time protection for the contents inside the storage box.

High Resistance towards Insects

Because kiri wood contains tannin, it has a high resistance towards insects. A cabinet that made from Kiri wood is quite a popular choice in Japan because its excellence in humidity control and insect repellent.

Light Weight

Compared to specific gravity of water which is 1, kiri wood's specific gravity is 0.3, which is the lightest among domestic wood. Because the membrane wall of its cells is thin and the air layer is large, it is soft and very convenient to carry.

Raw Material Preferences

We are using the kiri wood from North America.

The kiri wood product that is distributed in Japan mostly comes from Japan, Chinese and North American, but depending on the production area, there are products that use chemicals in order to make them look beautiful.

In Senshuu Tomekawa, considering that it’s a storage for food ingredients, we are using the kiri wood from North America which contains no chemicals.

Because the annual tree ring is fairly beautiful and the material quality is excellent, we have been using it for about 30 years.

For adhesive, we use the woodworking bond made by Konishi Co., Ltd. We use bonds that is accordant with environmental standards.

There will no bad smell or any bad reaction to the eyes, and it’s free from formaldehyde so you can use it with no worries.

- Height 30.5 cm
- Length 17.5 cm
- Width 8 cm

This Kiri Rice Bin with the capacity of 2kg weighted for about 360g, which is very light, compact, and doesn't take much space.

A non-slip groove is engraved on the side of the bin's body, making it easier to grip and lift the bin.

Protecting the Rice from Deterioration

Cause of Deterioration In Rice's Taste

Oxidation

If the polished grain of rice to come in contact with air, the fat content oxidizes and the taste deteriorates.

Humidification and Dryness

Rice can get cracked by dryness, also will easily get mold because of humidification. The rice that got molded smells really bad.

Insects Occurrence

If the rice get destroyed by insects, the good part of rice and the flavour will deteriorates. Insects can come inside the storage while opening and closing the lid, the insects also can lay their eggs in your rice grains.

Kiri Rice Bin, Protect Your Rice Grains Firmly

High level of airtightness

A manual work made by the artisan, made without gaps to prevent the circulation of air and also to prevent oxidation of rice grains.

Constant Temperature and Humidity

Kiri Wood is the most suitable for storage and preservation of rice grains, which sensitive to the humidity and temperature change. Kiri Wood will firmly protect the rice grains from mold and dryness.

Insect Repellent

Kiri Wood contains substances called paulownin and sesamin which insects hates. It will firmly protect the rice grains from insects.

About The Developer

Tomekawa Noboru
Senshuu Tomekawa's Fourth Generation

This product was developed by the fourth generation of Senshuu Tomekawa, Mr. Tomekawa Noboru in the first year of Taisho Era.

He is a skilled artisan who successfully won the Osaka Prefectural Governor's Prize at The Osaka Prefectural Industrial Arts and Craftsman's Work Exhibition in 1997.

Instead of doing a mass production, he created a handmade goods, step by step. He is an artisan who improving everyday with a thought of wanting to know about the soul and art in the making of his products.

History of Tomekawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

An Interview With The 4th Generation of Tomekawa Tansu, Mr. Noboru Tomekawa

We went for an interview with Mr. Tomekawa. He is an artisan who is making Kiri Tansu with precise and thorough method with old good traditional skill that has been passed on since Tomekawa's family business was established, from the first year of the Taisho Era (1912).

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