Masu Goblet: The Timeless Art of Japanese Cypress
A vessel born from the meeting of two materials: Japanese hinoki cypress and stainless steel. The MASU GOBLET reinterprets the traditional wooden masu—long associated with sake culture and ritual exchange—through a distinctly contemporary lens.
Crafted from domestically sourced hinoki, the cup retains the gentle warmth and subtle grain that have defined Japanese woodcraft for centuries. This natural softness is counterbalanced by a precisely machined stainless steel stem, whose restrained luster introduces a modern architectural clarity. The result is neither purely traditional nor overtly industrial; it is a composed object where heritage and innovation coexist.
Hinoki is prized not only for its fragrance and fine texture, but also for its insulating properties. It offers notable heat and cold retention, allowing warm sake, Japanese tea, chilled cocktails, or even delicate soups to be enjoyed at a comfortable temperature. The interior is finished with a water-repellent urethane coating, ensuring durability while preserving the character of the wood.
The rim has been carefully rounded, encouraging a smooth flow of liquid and a refined drinking experience. In hand, the goblet feels considered and balanced—an object designed to elevate a single pour into a deliberate moment.
Beyond beverages, the MASU GOBLET lends itself naturally to presentation. Ice cream, seasonal fruit, or a small parfait take on sculptural presence when served within its square wooden form and elevated silhouette. It is equally suited to the dining table, a gallery-like setting, or as a refined accent within a contemporary interior.
Masu Goblet
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Ogaki Masu Masters: Guardians of Tradition
In a workshop where the scent of fresh Hinoki lingers in the air, skilled artisans cut, wedge, and assemble each Masu Mug with unwavering precision. Every joint is a reflection of centuries of accumulated knowledge; every surface is polished to reveal the wood’s natural warmth. Here, in Ogaki, the Masu craft is not merely a profession—it is a heritage carried forward, a dialogue between past and present, wood and hand, tradition and everyday life.
company overview
Ogaki Masu Co., Japan
About Masu
About Masu/Product<Drinking Set Series<Masu Magu
Over 60 years of experience
For over 60 years our company has been the leading manufacturer of traditional hand-crafted “Masu” boxes in Ogaki, Japan. Over 80% of all Masu boxes produced are made in Ogaki city, also a major manufacturing center of Hinoki lumber. Made from excess lumber that comes out of thinning, the Masu boxes are entirely environmentally friendly.
Wake up every day to the hint of fresh evergreens in the air. Enjoy the crisp scent and smooth, soft touch of wood. Made entirely from the treasured Japanese Cypress, our environmentally friendly products give you more than just the gift of design.
The History of the Masu
For over 1300 years, the Masu has played an important role in Japanese tradition.
Originally a measuring cup for foods such as rice and soy sauce, the Masu was used to measure rice when it was common as a form of currency.
For the Japanese people, the Masu was as valuable and important as the rice it contained, and this tradition remains an essential part of the lives of people today.
What makes our Masu special?
More recently, the Masu has become widely acknowledged as a vessel for serving Sake, as well as a symbol of good luck.
The term “Masu” translates to “growth” in Japanese, and is thus an icon of prosperity and great happiness.
Masu is also used in sacred rituals, and holy offerings are often presented to the spirits in the Masu box.
On the day before the official start of spring, it is customary for farmers to offer beans in a Masu box to pray for a rich harvest.
Masu is unique because it is put together wedging together precisely cut pieces of wood and applying a very small amount of adhesives, without the use of any nails.
Japanese Cypress
Because of its use in exquisite architecture, the Japanese Cypress, better known as Hinoki, is regarded as a great luxury in Japan. Famous for its crisp fragrance as well as its versatility as building material, Hinoki is a favorite choice for hot spring baths. The Japanese Cypress has been the wood of choice for the construction of ancient works of architecture such as the Horyuji Temple, the oldest wooden structure known to date.
Relaxation Effects
The fresh fragrance of the Japanese Cypress has been scientifically proven to have a relaxing and refreshing effect. The scent particles also give this special wood an antibacterial quality, making it an ideal choice for use as kitchenware and bath items.
Environmentally Friendly
No trees are cut specifically for the purpose of making a Masu box. Masu boxes are made by effectively recycling wood that did not meet building material standards because of its shape or size.
Top Market Share in Japan
80% of all Masu boxes produced in Japan are made here in Ogaki city. Ogaki is a known producer of
Japanese Cypress lumber, and the Masu industry has grown hand in hand with the Cypress trade. In its
prime, about 2,000,000 Masu boxes were produced and distributed annually from Ogaki city alone.
Masu Goblet
A Contemporary Heirloom
The MASU GOBLET carries the quiet authority of Japanese craft while presenting a silhouette suited to modern interiors. It functions as tableware, as presentation vessel, and as conversation piece.
For international guests, it offers a distilled expression of Japanese design—compact, precise, and materially honest. For collectors of craft, it represents the evolving narrative of the masu: from utilitarian measure to ceremonial cup, and now to sculptural object.
In acquiring the MASU GOBLET, one does not merely purchase a vessel. One participates in a lineage—where wood, metal, and human skill converge with restraint and clarity.
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