Bring a piece of award-winning Japanese craftsmanship into your own home with the Oku Knife and Hinoki Wood Board Set, now avilable at MATCHADO. This exquisite set, launched in the UK at the London Design Festival in September 2024. It features the Oku Knife, winner of the 2022 Dezeen Awards for Homeware Design of the Year, and a sustainably sourced Japanese Hinoki wood board.
Oku Knife: A Masterpiece of Modern Craftsmanship
The Oku Knife is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional table knife, designed by Scottish artist and metalworker Kathleen Reilly. Crafted in Tsubame-Sanjo, Japan—a region with a 400-year history of exceptional metalwork—the Oku Knife stands out with its unique folded handle, designed to hook elegantly onto the edge of your serving board.
Hinoki Wood Board: Sustainable Elegance
Paired with the Oku Knife is a beautiful serving board made from sustainably sourced Hinoki wood by Karimoku Furniture, Japan's leading wooden furniture manufacturer. The board’s fine grain and natural aroma enhance the presentation of your culinary delights, making it perfect for serving MATCHADO scones and other treats.
A Fusion of East and West
Kathleen Reilly’s design effortlessly blends Eastern craftsmanship with Western design principles. The Oku Knife, along with the Hinoki wood board, represents a harmonious fusion of cultures, making it a must-have for those who appreciate fine craftsmanship and design.
About the Designer
Kathleen Reilly is a Scottish artist and metalworker with a deep connection to Japanese culture and craftsmanship. After completing her studies at The Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art, she honed her skills with the renowned artisans in Tsubame-Sanjo, Japan, where she developed the Oku Knife. Kathleen spent over seven year perfecting the Oku Knife design, which has since garnered international acclaim.
Product details:
Oku butter knife: High corrosion-resistant stainless steel
Size: 170x20.5x15.5mm approx. (30g)
Wooden board: Japanese Hinoki Cyress wood with urethane coating
Size: 170x95x13mm approx. (110-130g)
The knife and board are packaged and held together with a removable strap. Oku set's come with a poem printed on a postcard; the poem expresses the themes of the design.
* Since natural wood is used, there are individual differences in the colour, material and size. The colour and smell of the wood changes over time.