Yamato Power, to the world

Miwa Komatsu
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Hiranoya Enmusubi Chopsticks

Adopting the theme of "Yamato Power" emphasized in Miwa Komatsu’s artwork, we are thrilled to present original goods that express and share the prayers entailed in Komatsu’s works by using traditional Japanese craft, locally sourced materials, and borrowing skillful techniques from artisans.

Miwa Komatsu is a contemporary artist who dedicated her painting entitled "Shin Fudoki" to the Izumo-taisha Grand Shrine in 2014. Enmusubi Chopsticks Hiranoya is a long-established shop since 1907, located in front of the Izumo-taisha Grand Shrine. After several years of development, this fateful collaboration has produced a specially-made Enmusubi chopsticks set in commemoration of their encounter. The set includes two pairs of chopsticks and a special box printed with an image of the wolves from Miwa Komatsu's work entitled "Meet Wolfs, and Love", plus a bookmark with a message from the artist herself. By aligning the two pairs of chopsticks together, a complete image of the wolves is formed. Through its simple design, you can feel the beauty of Miwa Komatsu's work and the fine quality of the chopsticks themselves.

About Yamato Power

"Yamato Power" does not mean "Japanese-ness". It is the power and method of design that Japan has possessed since ancient times to combine and integrate various things.
The ability to integrate and synthesize the various cultures of the world is the power of "wa" that Japan possesses, and "Yamato Power" is the power of great harmony.

- Quote: "Finding my own role in the world"

The origin of the ”Enmusubi chopsticks”

Enmusubi chopsticks are said to originate from a famous story in the Kojiki chronicle of Japanese legends. The deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto descended from the heavens to the land of Izumo on earth, and while walking along the the Hiikawa river, he was led by a pair of chopsticks floating on the river to the home of Inadahime, whom he goes on to rescue from the Yamata-no-Orochi serpent and eventually marry. Izumo thus became known as the land of fateful connections or "Enmusubi". But Enmusubi represents not just romantic bonds, but also our connections to family, wealth, health, and other intangible things. It is believed that the eight million gods of Shinto get together every year in Izumo to decide on the fates of mortals, which came to be known as Enmusubi. Enmusubi chopsticks are made with a wish for the good fate of the user.

The upper part of the Enmusubi chopsticks are decorated with a special character that symbolizes Izumo Go-en, or a wish for good fate in romance, family, work, health, and other intangible things. The left side of the character is the "itohen" (thread) kanji radical, while the right side is a combination of the hiragana characters for the word "go-en" (fate).

The box for the chopsticks set is designed with Miwa Komatsu's signature and personal symbol, as well as the logo of Hiranoya. Each one is encircled by a red "kumihimo" braid, and the two circles are connected through the image of the wolves from Miwa Komatsu's painting.

The back side of the chopsticks are printed with Miwa Komatsu's signature and personal symbol.

The specially-made box is carefully wrapped in a white furoshiki cloth, then attached with a mark that certifies the product as genuine Enmusubi chopsticks from Izumo.

The Enmusubi chopsticks are made from precious Izumo cherry wood, each one carefully shaped, polished, and painted by expert artisans. Their philosophy is to make not a tangible object but an intangible thing. They want to offer not just a physical gift, but the act of forming bonds and connections.

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