This spring we packed some of our lovely spring items along with a delicious Jubako bento box lunch to enjoy our long-awaited first "hanami" outing at MUSUBI KILN. Often translated as "cherry blossom viewing," hanami is so much more than just enjoying the sites of the beautiful blooming cherry blossoms.  
See how we spent a delightful day filled with laughter and cheers amongst dancing soft pink petals savoring a beautifully packed lunch with sake.  

Contents

• Spring in Full Bloom 
• "Hana-yori-dango" - Time to Eat!
• Cheers! 
• Featured Items

Key points of this table setting

1. Spring in Full Bloom

Hanami is one of the most enjoyable ways to take in all that spring has to offer. Birdsongs fill the warm air, and as you lie on the grass you can feel its newly grown blades tickle your skin. Everywhere you look there are hues of vivid green and soft pink, while a soft breeze carries the delicate scent of cherry blossoms. Hanami is a time to enjoy all of spring's gifts with friends and family together, eating seasonal delicacies and enjoying refreshing cool sake.

Among rows of cherry blossom trees, we picked a spot right under one of the biggest trees in the park. 
We set all the items we brought along with us on our picnic blanket to enjoy the "hanami-bento" our colleague made for us in a large lacquerware bento box. No worries about breakage with items made of wood, making them ideal for outdoor gatherings. And to make this once-in-year event even more special, we also brought along some special glass sake items to enjoy sake, a beautiful set of tea items and an entertainingly charming item to add some extra fun to our hanami.

2. "Hana-yori-dango" - Time to Eat!    

The Japanese proverb, "hana-yori-dango" is an often-used expression during the hanami season. Translated as "sweets before flowers" it represents the idea that practicality has precedence over beauty - understandable considering how irresistibly delicious a bite to eat under the picturesque cherry blossoms can be! Even a simple onigiri can become something special when savoured amidst the magnificent scenery of cherry blossom trees. 

But today's hanami-bento, prepared by our colleague, was anything but simple. It was truly a sight to behold. Not only did it look appetizing and taste exquisite, a thoughtful addition of a handwritten menu gave the total presentation an extra bit of elegance. 

Another colleague brought traditional Japanese sweets called "sakura-mochi" which are pink-colored Japanese sweets wrapped in cured cherry blossom leaves (yes, cherry blossom leaves are edible when cured). 

There is no rule on what needs to be included in a hanami-bento. A couple right across from us was enjoying champagne and baguette sandwiches, where another group was celebrating the cherry blossoms with beer and some snacks. It's all about just enjoying the moment. 

3. Cheers!  

For many, the highlight of hanami is enjoying tasty sake under the showering cherry blossoms. "Hanami-zake" is the word that poetically describes the leisurely site of drinking sake during hanami. The glass sake cooler made of Edo Kiriko and the glass sake cup adorned with gold and painted cherry blossoms were extra-special items we brought from our shelves for this festive occasion. 

One more special item we brought along was our new stackable sake cup set. What makes this set unique is that it comes with a die and can be used as an entertaining passtime during hanami or any sake-drinking occasion. 

Just place the die in the lidded cup, open after shaking and check the number on the top of the die. 
Then choose the sake cup with the same number of cherry blossom petals, pour in sake and then take a sip! 

For our tea-loving colleague, we placed a houhin teapot set on a tree stump we took back from Yamanaka Onsen when visiting a lacquerware craftsman. It was the perfect size to serve two cups of tea and a houhin teapot with a little extra room left for our fourth guest at our hanami picnic. 

Each year, we delight in one of the most beloved traditions of spring: hanami. As winter fades, we start to yearn for days with pink cherry blossoms adorning our neighborhoods and parks. An opportunity to gather outdoors and breathe in nature's beauty alongside friends and family is something we all look forward to after months of cold weather! We treasure this fleeting moment of splendor and celebrate another beautiful spring season under the warm sun. 
Welcome to the wonderful culture of hanami in Japan! 

Featured Items

Jubako Bento Boxes

Jubako bento boxes give an added appeal and elegance to dishes and create a sense of excitement when their lids are opened. Here we introduce special Jubako bento boxes that are stylish and can assist you in creating a stunning and authentic setting on your table.