Oryoki: Nesting bowls that originated more than a thousand years ago in Zen Buddhism practice.

How do you view your food, the meals you eat? Do you plow through it as if it is a necessity? Do you appreciate the simple relationship between what you eat and what you are?

A Zen tradition more than a thousand years old is an important and highly symbolic part of a monk’s life. It is called Ōryōki (応量器), and it means “just enough”. Monks pay close attention to what they eat, embracing the meal — the amount and the quality of the food, allowing for an understanding of what is being eaten and the inner soul, and how each can define us. Embracing the simplicity of this relationship is a vital part of the monk’s learning. This contrasts in so many ways to the way most people take in a meal.

Two most highly treasured items in a monk’s journey to a higher understanding are his robe and set of Oryoki, which convey the external and internal items most necessary to sustain life – clothing, shelter and food. The passing along of the Oryoki and robe to a student monk by his teacher is considered a highly spiritual and important rite. It means the student has received the “Dharma Transmission”, signifying that will someday become the successor to his teacher.

An Oryoki set consists of three to six lacquerware bowls, nested inside each other along with necessary utensils (spoon, chopsticks, spatula for cleaning) wrapped in a cloth. All of these are wrapped in a larger cloth to be used as a napkin, tied up with a knot that symbolizes a lotus flower. This was all a monk needed for taking his three simple meals each day.

Japan Suite is extremely honored to present the beautiful Oryoki works of Kazuo Satake of Kashoan studio, that is taking this tradition to a new level of style and beauty.

This age-old custom was adopted by the people of Japan centuries ago. Artisans have been producing Oryoki bowls for centuries. They are prized throughout Japan for their symbolic meaning as well as their incredible durability and long life.

Satake believes in using only the most natural methods for creating their exquisite works. He produces bowls that he feels should last at least as long as the life of the tree that gave their lives to make them. Kashoan artisans live and work in Yamanaka, Ishikawa Prefecture in the west of Japan. Yamanaka is considered one of the most famous lacquerware producing regions in Japan.

Japan Suite invites you to savor the tradition, exquisite design and love that Kashoan artisans poured into their beautiful creations.