Wave Pattern Cup | Omori ShikkoboThanks to potter’s wheel techniques, each cup receives wave-like undulations on its outside surface, in a finish making the pieces difficult to slip out of hand. The drinking rim features gold lacquer work, in a structure easy for persons with impaired eyesight to understand as well. What’s more, because these cups are wooden lacquerware, the conducting of heat is slow and gentlethus ensuring peace of mind when enjoying either hot or chilled beverages. The cups are fashioned in somewhat slim shapes, realizing a smart appearance aimed at acceptance by male and female consumers of all ages.

Light Cutlery Series | Colabo Co., Ltd.Spoons, forks and other cutlery engineered for effortless use both from a medical and an ergonomic standpoint. This series features head and grip designs and a lightweight sensation unseen in cutlery of the past. The result is an immaculate fusion between the distinctive Japanese aesthetic sensation and thin-sheet welding techniques (namely, welding of stainless steel sheets 0.8mm in thickness, raising both strength and lightness to the limit).

Castanet Scissors | Hasegawa Cutlery Co., Ltd.Scissors with round wooden handles fashioned to nestle comfortably in the palm of the hand. Specifically, the handles are formed in the round hallow shapes used for castanets, with the cutting action generating a diversified flow of sound at each separate slice. Designed for use in either the right or left hand, and safe for persons with weak grasping power or who find it difficult to perform the open/close motion needed with conventional scissors.

Freehand Blocks | Hirosaki Technical Laboratory / Aomori Industrial Research CenterUtilizing natural wood materials, grooves are placed on all different parts of the block shapes, creating toys that can be fitted together as pleased with the aid of rubber bands. This marks a distinctive departure from the building blocks of the past – namely, the unique feature of being able to actually connect the individual pieces of wood together. The rubber band attaching feature make these blocks easy for anyone to understand and enjoy, opening up possibilities for a diversified range of play. Other merits include the sense of warmth from natural materials not found in plastic versions, as well as solid durability stemming from limited wear and deterioration.