Masu Mug: The Timeless Art of Japanese Cypress
Where Tradition Meets Everyday Elegance
For over six decades, our Ogaki-based artisans have preserved the meticulous craft of
hand-making Masu boxes, the iconic wooden vessels that have been part of Japanese
life for more than 1,300 years. Once used as a measuring cup for rice and soy sauce,
and even as currency, the Masu has long symbolized abundance and cultural heritage.
Today, it continues to serve as a vessel for Sake, a token of good fortune, and a
cherished object in sacred rituals.
The Masu Mug brings this centuries-old tradition into contemporary use, transforming
natural Japanese Cypress—known locally as Hinoki—into an elegant vessel for
enjoying your favorite beverages. Each piece is crafted from carefully selected excess
lumber, ensuring no trees are cut solely for production, making it an environmentally
conscious choice that honors both nature and culture.
A Vessel of Scent, Touch, and Tradition
Made from Hinoki, famed for its crisp, evergreen fragrance and smooth, warm texture,
the Masu Mug offers more than visual appeal. Scientific studies have shown that the
scent of Japanese Cypress promotes relaxation and refreshment, while the wood’s
natural antibacterial qualities make it ideal for kitchenware. The unique
construction—wedged pieces joined with minimal adhesive, without nails—reflects
centuries of precise craftsmanship and architectural mastery.
The Ogaki region, producing over 80% of Japan’s Masu boxes, has been the heart of
this tradition. Here, the Masu craft has flourished alongside the Japanese Cypress
trade, with production techniques passed through generations. The same principles that
guided the construction of Horyuji Temple and other historic wooden structures are
applied to every Masu Mug, making each a small yet profound testament to heritage.
Experience the Masu Mug
While the Masu is not widely known as a beer vessel, its wooden form enhances the
experience: it maintains cool temperatures, produces smoother bubbles, and
accentuates the natural flavors of your drink. The Masu Mug is practical as well allowing you to savor the wood’s
natural warmth and elegance effortlessly.
Wake every morning to the subtle fragrance of fresh Hinoki. Enjoy the tactile pleasure of
finely polished wood. With each use, the Masu Mug connects you to centuries of
Japanese tradition and artistry, transforming everyday moments into a ritual of taste,
texture, and culture
Masu Magu
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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 Magu
The traditional Masu making techniques are applied to make this wooden mug.
While it is not well known, wood is an excellent vessel for beer because it creates smooth bubbles and keeps the
contents cool for a much longer time compared to the conventional glass mug.
The Masu Mug is easy to wash. Because of the urethane coating, you can put it in the dishwasher to wash.
Savor the wooden texture and natural warmth while enjoying a nice cold beer!
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