Hand-Carved Hida Natural Wood Rice Paddle

Shizendou - Working with Nature of Hida Takayama

Shizendou is the work of Yasuhiro Kaneko, a solo wood artisan based in Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. Naoko met Kaneko-san at the Jinya-mae Morning Market (陣屋朝市) on a cold winter morning, where he was selling his hand-carved wooden tools among local farmers and craftspeople.

Kaneko-san lives close to nature and works independently. Prior to becoming independent, he built his career by making custom furniture to order. Today, he focuses on smaller wooden tools for everyday use—spatulas, rice paddles, spoons, cutting boards, clocks, and more. His background in furniture making is reflected in the careful shaping, balance, and durability of each piece.

He works with a wide variety of locally sourced woods from the Hida region, selecting each piece for its grain, density, and character. Every item is carved by hand, allowing the natural qualities of the wood to guide the final form. No two pieces are exactly alike, and each one carries the presence and weight of the tree it came from.

Hand-Carved Hida Natural Wood Spatula

Made in Kaneko-san’s small atelier in Hida Takayama, this hand-carved wooden Rice Paddle is shaped from locally sourced timber to feel natural and balanced in the hand. The gently curved edge makes stirring, sautéing, and mixing smooth and controlled, while the carefully finished surface is safe and comfortable to use with donabe and other cookware.

Each paddle is carved from a single piece of wood and carefully finished to highlight the natural grain and tone. Lightweight yet solid in the hand, it is especially suited for use with donabe rice cookers. With use, the wood develops deeper character while maintaining its smooth touch.

Wood Variations (Availability varies depending on the season)

Walnut
Warm brown tone with flowing grain patterns.

Magnolia
Pale, soft grey-beige color with a subtle grain. Light and understated.

Japanese Yew
Golden amber tone with visible grain lines. Dense and resilient.

Charred Oak
Deepened tone achieved through light charring by hand.

Dragon Juniper
Soft pink tone with dynamic, twisting grain.

Enjoy the Natural Wood Characteristics

Each piece is truly unique in shape, grain, and texture—even within the same type of wood. The item you receive may look different from those shown in the photos. Please enjoy the beauty of ichigo ichie—the idea of treasuring each once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

• Due to the natural qualities of the wood, knots, scratches, and small cracks may be present.
• The grain and color vary with each piece. Enjoy the unique expressions of the natural material.
• The wood also develops character with use, and that is one of the natural features we hope you will cherish.

• Approximate Size: 2.8" wide x 9" long | 7 cm wide x 23 cm long
• Weight: 1 oz | 30 g
• Material: Walnut, magnolia, Japanese yew, hinoki cedar
• Producer: Shizendou
• Origin: Hida, Gifu, Japan

Usage and Care

• Each piece is handmade using natural Japanese trees and is different from one another. Each piece has their own individual characteristics, whether it be different nuances of grain patterns, certain spots and speckles, marks or bumps, and coloration.
• Hand wash with soft sponge and mild soap.
• Do not wash in a dishwasher.
• Thoroughly wipe off all water and fluids and allow to air dry before storing.
• Do not leave in direct sunlight.
• Do not soak in water for long periods of time.

Domestic Orders

• Usually ships out in-stock items within 3 business days of order.
• We use FedEx, USPS Priority Mail, or USPS First Class Mail to ship our products, depending on the size and weight of the package.
• Read about the shipping information and terms in our Customer Service Page.
• Free shipping with purchase of $375 or more! (Within Continental US only. Total purchase amount to qualify excludes free shipping offer items.)

International Orders

• Usually ship out in-stock within 5 business days of order.
• We use USPS Priority Mail International for international shipping.
• We do not accept any returns for international orders. Any additional charges (including but not limited to import tax, custom fees, VAT, brokerage charge) that might incur after the order lands in the destination country must be borne by the recipient.
• Read about the shipping information and terms in our Customer Service Page.