RIJINDA Japanese Wooden Masu Cup by Mokucho Maeda Koubo
A Wooden Craft Product Born from Danjiri Carving
RIJINDA is a wooden craft product series inspired by the traditional danjiri carving culture of Osaka, Japan.
Danjiri carving has long supported Japan’s local festival culture, especially in the Osaka region. By bringing this traditional woodcarving technique into modern daily life, Mokucho Maeda Koubo has created wooden products that can be enjoyed as sake cups, gifts, interior items, and art objects.
Each piece is made to highlight the natural beauty of wood grain while combining skilled craftsmanship with a refined contemporary design.
The RIJINDA masu cup is ideal for enjoying Japanese sake, but it is also a beautiful gift for those who appreciate Japanese culture, traditional craftsmanship, and natural materials.
About Mokucho Maeda Koubo
Mokucho Maeda Koubo is a woodcarving workshop based in Osaka, Japan, specializing in danjiri carving.
The representative, Mr. Maeda, grew up surrounded by the local danjiri festival culture. At the age of 21, he entered the world of craftsmanship and began training as a woodcarver. After many years of experience and independent work in Kishiwada, he expanded his craft beyond danjiri carving into wooden products, woodworking, and art pieces.
In 2019, he established Mokucho Maeda Koubo Co., Ltd. in Osaka City.
While preserving traditional woodcarving techniques, the workshop continues to explore new forms of craftsmanship that can be appreciated in today’s world.
A New Form of Craftsmanship Rooted in Danjiri Culture
Danjiri are important festival floats that symbolize local culture and community pride in Japan. However, they are repaired or rebuilt only once every several decades. With changes in society, lifestyles, and local communities, the amount of work for danjiri carvers has gradually decreased.
For Mokucho Maeda Koubo, creating new products is not simply about making something different. It is about preserving the skills of danjiri carvers for the next generation.
Tradition is not only about keeping things unchanged.
It is also about continuing.
As lifestyles change, traditional craftsmanship must also find new ways to be needed, used, and appreciated. RIJINDA was born from this belief.
By applying the woodcarving skills developed through danjiri craftsmanship to masu cups, coasters, art pieces, and other wooden products, Mokucho Maeda Koubo is bringing Japanese woodcarving culture into new markets and new everyday settings.
Japanese Woodcarving Reaching the World
Mokucho Maeda Kobo is actively expanding beyond Japan and introducing its craftsmanship to the global market.
The workshop has begun developing opportunities in the United States and France. Its art pieces have also been recognized in Spain, and several works were exhibited in Los Angeles through an art organization based in New York.
During the exhibition, Mr. Maeda brought RIJINDA masu cups with him. The cups caught the attention of a local gift shop, which led to their placement in the shop.
The workshop’s overseas activities continue to grow. Connections made in Dubai led to opportunities in France. In the Netherlands, Mokucho Maeda Koubo has collaborated with designer Carole Baijings on product and art piece development. In Vietnam, the workshop has delivered mikoshi and ranma decorative carvings to Hotel Mikazuki. It has also created commemorative items for an overseas shogi match featuring Sota Fujii.
Through these projects, the techniques rooted in Osaka’s danjiri carving culture are now reaching people across borders.
Mr. Maeda’s mission is not only to continue creating as an individual craftsman.
His greater goal is to preserve the work of danjiri carvers itself.
He believes that if a craft is to survive, it must continue to change with the times. Traditional techniques can remain meaningful only when they find new places, new people, and new ways to be valued.
RIJINDA represents this challenge: a traditional Japanese woodcarving skill, born from festival culture, evolving into art, gifts, interior pieces, and everyday objects for people around the world.
Respect for Wood
At the heart of Mokucho Maeda Koubo’s craftsmanship is a deep respect for wood.
Wood is a natural material that has grown over many years. When a craftsman works with wood, the goal is not simply to change its shape. The work must add value to the material and bring out its true beauty.
Through carving and careful finishing, wood is given a new life — one that can be appreciated, used, and treasured by someone for years to come.
This respect for wood is at the foundation of Mokucho Maeda Koubo’s work.
Every RIJINDA masu cup carries this spirit: a thoughtful approach to material, craftsmanship, and the beauty of nature.
A Special Gift of Japanese Craftsmanship
The RIJINDA masu cup is a wooden product that reflects both the heritage of danjiri carving and the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship.
It can be used for enjoying Japanese sake.
It can be given as a meaningful gift.
It can also be displayed as an interior piece that brings the warmth of wood into everyday life.
Mokucho Maeda Koubo continues to carry traditional craftsmanship into the future while sharing it with the world in a new form.
Experience the story, skill, and spirit of Japanese woodcarving through RIJINDA.
About Maeda Woodcarving Studio and the Craftsman
Akihiko Maeda
Woodcarver / Master Craftsman
Akihiko Maeda is a Japanese woodcarver specializing in traditional carvings for festivals.
For many years, he has created handcrafted wooden sculptures used in Japanese festival culture, including mikoshi portable shrines, danjiri festival floats, towers, drum stands, and other decorative wooden structures.
His work often depicts scenes from Japanese mythology, historical war tales, animals, plants, and symbolic motifs. Through bold composition and delicate carving, he brings wood to life, creating sculptures that appear as if they could begin moving at any moment.
At Maeda Woodcarving Studio, these traditional carving skills are not limited to festival structures. The studio also applies its craftsmanship to wooden household items, custom-made products, art pieces, and gifts.
By combining the expressive techniques of festival carving with modern wooden product design, Maeda Woodcarving Studio creates pieces that carry the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship into everyday life.
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