Koppa Wooden Chopsticks
Gentle in the hand and crafted entirely in Japan, the Koppa series reflects Ogishi Tadashi Shoten’s vision of sustainable, everyday craftsmanship. Each pair is carved one by one by artisans in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture - home to over 80% of Japan’s lacquered chopstick production.
The basic square chopstick form is refined by hand into a softly contoured shape that feels natural and comfortable between the fingers. Finished with a durable acrylic urethane coating, these chopsticks are dishwasher-safe and ideal for daily use.
The wood used for the Koppa range comes from off-cuts of furniture making, remnants of barrel production, and fruit trees that have finished bearing - materials given a second life through careful handwork. With the exception of birch and beech, which are sourced from colder regions, the company uses timber from nearby areas to reduce environmental impact.
There are five species of wood used for the Koppa range:
- sakura (cherry)
- nara (oak)
- kaba (birch)
- buna (beech)
- kuri (chestnut)
Each species offers its own distinct grain, tone, and adds gentle warmth to the dining table.
- Size: 23 cm
- Material: Natural wood (Cherry, Oak, Birch, Beech, Chestnut)
- Surface finish: Acrylic urethane
- Care: Dishwasher safe (but we recommend hand washing for chopsticks)
Every pair comes in recyclable paper packaging that mirrors the maker’s thoughtful approach to design and sustainability.
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Ogishi Tadashi Shoten Co., Ltd., Founded in 1969 in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, is a third-generation maker of wakasa-nuri chopsticks, continuing the long tradition of craftsmanship in Obama, Fukui Prefecture. Since its founding in 1969, the company has upheld the values of sincerity (magokoro), diligence (isshōkenmei), and challenge (charenji), producing utensils that bring warmth and integrity to everyday life.
Under the Wakasa Ohashi brand, the company creates a diverse range of products - from traditional lacquered wakasa-nuri chopsticks with over 400 years of heritage to modern dishwasher-safe designs and sustainable lines like Koppa.
Ogishi Tadashi Shoten’s philosophy centres on enriching dining through craftsmanship:
“As many dining tables as there are people, there are chopsticks.”
In its SDGs Declaration (2021), Ogishi Tadashi Shoten pledged to carry the spirit of Obama’s traditional industry into the future through sustainable product development. Its efforts include:
- Use of domestic wood species such as Hokkaido larch and Ishikawa cherry, responsibly harvested to protect local ecosystems.
- Artisan production that preserves skills and employment in Japan’s primary chopstick-making region.
- Eco-conscious packaging made entirely from paper materials.
- Long-life design, including re-lacquering services for selected ranges like Takumi.
Through these actions, Ogishi Tadashi Shoten contributes to the global vision of a sustainable society—balancing people, nature, and craftsmanship, or as they state: “Making gentle chopsticks for people, for the future.”