This oval-shaped rice tray is made from Kiso sawara, a natural wood. Kiso sawara is a tree of the cypress family that grows in the Kiso region of Nagano Prefecture and is one of the five Kiso trees. Kiso sawara wood is highly valued in Japan as a material for wet-related tools such as rice containers, sushi tubs, and rice trays. The twisted copper hoops that shine discreetly against the beautiful wood grain not only enhance functionality, but also act as a wonderful accent that makes Japanese tools look modern. In Japan, it is used when making vinegared rice, and is most commonly used in "chirashi sushi" and "temaki sushi."
