Did you know that 80% of all masu (wooden measuring cups) produced in Japan come from Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture? This region, known as the "City of Water" due to its abundant underground springs and numerous rivers, is close to Kiso and Tono, two of Japan's leading hinoki cypress producing areas. This geographical advantage has historically provided access to high-quality natural hinoki cypress. Approximately 2 million masu are shipped annually. The three masu manufacturers remaining in the city are all said to be distant relatives. One of these is Ohashi Ryoki Co., Ltd., founded in 1950 (Showa 25). This company, which has been involved with masu for over 70 years, has an unexpected story: its business once sank to the lowest tier, only to rise again by incorporating the ideas of the younger generation.
Company Name Born from the Surname "Ohashi" and the Desire for "Ryoki" (Measuring Instruments)
The company name Ohashi Ryoki comes from the founder's surname, "Ohashi," and "Ryoki," meaning measuring instruments. The company was founded by Mune Ohashi, the grandmother of the current representative director. She is remembered as a gentle woman at home but a strict businesswoman. In its early days, the company produced not only masu but also rulers and height gauges, making it a measuring instrument manufacturer. However, as demand gradually concentrated on masu, the company shifted its focus to become a specialized masu manufacturer. Today, leveraging the techniques cultivated in masu production, the company has expanded its product range into various fields, including sake cups, other vessels, packaging, and novelties. At its headquarters and factory in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, 37 employees handle everything from manufacturing to planning and sales, producing both original and OEM products.
From the IT Industry to the "Low-Tech" World. The Harsh Reality Faced There.
Mr. Hiroyuki Ohashi, the current representative director, joined the family business in 1993, prompted by his marriage. He had previously worked for a high-tech major IT manufacturer. Despite his initial confusion about suddenly entering the manufacturing field, he began his journey in masu production.
However, once he plunged in, a reality far harsher than he had imagined awaited him. Sales, which had once reached 100 million yen, had plummeted to 56 million yen. Among the seven masu manufacturers in Ogaki at the time, Ohashi Ryoki's performance was in the lowest tier. The company was literally on the brink.
In response to this crisis, Ohashi Ryoki made it a policy to never say "no" to customer needs and to respond wholeheartedly. They believed there was no future if they only operated within the conventional industry framework. Driven by this sense of urgency, they actively began developing new products that boldly changed the usage and form of masu.
After about 10 years of maintaining this proactive stance, business performance finally began to improve. However, an unexpected miscalculation occurred. It turned out that the products actually selling well were not the much-hyped new products, but the traditional, classic masu. Their new challenges drew attention, and this attention, in turn, led people to rediscover the inherent appeal of masu. This unexpected positive cycle led Ohashi Ryoki to rapidly climb to the top share among masu manufacturers in Ogaki. The challenge didn't result in a new product hit but rather the rediscovery of tradition itself.
Masu for Bathing: Born from Students' Free Ideas
What Ohashi Ryoki values in manufacturing is giving meaning to "made by Ohashi Ryoki." They aim for products that retain the essence of masu, rather than something that could be made by any other woodworking shop. Symbolizing this commitment is the story behind the hit product that combines masu and bath salts—two seemingly unrelated items.
The inspiration came from "Nagoya Design Week," an event Ohashi Ryoki had participated in for several years. The initiative involved teaming up with art and design university students—young, aspiring designers—to present new ideas for masu. This was done in pursuit of flexible ideas that traditional craftspeople alone might not conceive.
At this time, two different ideas emerged from two student teams. One team proposed "putting salt in it to make it a bath product." The other team suggested "hiding a message at the bottom of the masu" (originally an idea like an omikuji fortune slip). Ohashi Ryoki came up with the idea of mixing these two seemingly separate concepts. The result: when the salt dissolves in the bath, a message appears from the bottom of the masu. After further discussion, they concluded that "encouraging words" from family and friends would be more appropriate than a fortune-telling omikuji. It was a unique moment of chemical reaction born from the encounter between the traditional craft of masu and the fresh sensibilities of young students.
Designing a Relaxing Experience for All Five Senses
What this product aims to deliver is not just a bath additive as a "thing," but a "relaxing experience" enjoyed with all five senses. Made from high-quality domestic hinoki cypress masu, something only a masu manufacturer can achieve. The moment you open the package and the moment you place it in the bath, the refreshing scent of hinoki cypress fills the bathroom. This is the first treat for your sense of smell.
Math Salt, various scents (Hinoki, Rose, etc.)
The bath salt is a blend of Australian sea salt and six types of herbs—chamomile, rose, lavender, etc.—that complement hinoki cypress. The combination of hinoki and herb scents creates an even deeper sense of relaxation. However, the product's true cleverness comes after the scent fades. When the salt completely dissolves, a visual surprise awaits. From the bottom of the masu, warm messages like "Good job" or "Thank you" slowly appear. The intention is to provide a moment of "relief" for both the mind and body of the user, through both scent and sight.
Messages appearing at the bottom of the masu
Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Utilizing Scrap Wood
Commitment to materials is another major pillar supporting Ohashi Ryoki's craftsmanship. They use domestic hinoki cypress, specifically scraps leftover from making housing materials and other tools. This embodies environmentally friendly product manufacturing rooted in the forestry cycle.
In the manufacturing process, a rocking cutter is used to create the grooves (mortises) that form the joints of the masu. This is a crucial step in masu production, where multiple large blades rotate at high speed at equal intervals to cut grooves into the wood all at once. Different machines are used depending on the size of the masu. Next, a disc plane is used to shave all four sides and eight corners of the masu. This process, which eliminates protrusions and splinters to achieve a smooth finish, takes less than a second per masu and requires a craftsman's intuitive adjustment based on the condition of each masu—a true display of skilled craftsmanship.
Cutter process: Wood processed with mortise grooves
Finishing shave (craftsman's hands)
The drying of materials takes 1 to 2 weeks. A standard masu undergoes 11 steps and takes 5 days to complete. For custom-made items, the production period varies from 1 to 4 weeks depending on the product. While some processes involve machines, most steps are fundamentally manual. Throughout every stage, artisans make fine adjustments based on their feel. This meticulous effort is put into even a single masu.
Scent and Words Connect Giver and Receiver
This product has three main appeals. First, you can enjoy the unique scent and warmth of masu. Since it uses a domestic hinoki cypress masu as is, when floated in hot water, you can experience the gentle aroma of hinoki and the warmth of the wood. This product goes beyond just being a bath additive; it allows you to savor unique Japanese materials with all five senses.
Second, it includes a message that conveys "the feeling of giving." Words like "Thank you" and "Good job" printed on the bottom of the masu are a surprise discovered only after bathing. It's a perfect gift to convey healing along with words.
And third, this product doesn't just end as a bath additive. You can continue to enjoy the masu itself after bathing. Once used, it can be repurposed as a small item holder or interior decoration. Instead of being disposable, it ushers in a "life with masu."
At the end of the day, float the masu in the bathtub and slowly enjoy its fragrance. Give it as a small gift with a message for birthdays, Mother's Day, or farewell parties. Reuse the dried masu as a container for accessories or keys. Choose different scents based on your mood or the season, and enjoy a mini onsen experience at home. There are countless ways to incorporate it into your daily life.
It's chosen for various occasions as a gift that combines practicality with Japanese charm: birthday and anniversary presents, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Respect for the Aged Day gifts, small gifts for farewell parties or retirement celebrations, wedding favors, and corporate novelties. It's well-suited not only for the cold autumn and winter months but also for summer baths when air conditioning can make you feel chilly. As a souvenir for international visitors, it's a product that allows them to experience the scent of hinoki and Japanese culture embodied in masu.
Customers have shared comments such as, "The recipient was very happy," and "I use the masu as a small item holder even after using the bath salts." The representative from Ohashi Ryoki says they are always delighted to hear that the masu continues to be used in daily life even after it has been enjoyed as a bath additive. Feedback like "The message made me smile" and "The hinoki scent was soothing from the moment I opened it" are also memorable. They feel a daily sense that the product not only stands on its own but also serves as a catalyst for connecting givers and receivers.
Aiming for "Masu when you think of Ogaki, Ogaki when you think of Masu"
Ohashi Ryoki intends to continue creating new products every year. Simultaneously, they are looking to expand into overseas markets. They plan to actively participate in international exhibitions.
While they have gradually become known in the Ogaki area, Ohashi Ryoki's ambitions extend much further. They aim to introduce Ogaki's masu to even more people, striving for a day when people say, "Masu when you think of Ogaki, Ogaki when you think of masu." They will continue to dedicate themselves to making masu known throughout Japan and the world, and to ensuring that people find masu "enjoyable" and "interesting."
To Our Readers
We hope you will enjoy the warmth and fragrance of the wood, and the way its appearance changes over time. We want traditional crafts to be casually incorporated into daily life, rather than being seen as something extraordinary. Nothing would make us happier than for our products to be used as a means to connect people, whether for gifts or celebrations.
For over 70 years since its founding, Ohashi Ryoki has continued to propose new values while inheriting traditional techniques. Using domestic hinoki cypress, everything from material selection to manufacturing is done in Japan, and each product, from OEM to original, is crafted with care. Masu have long been imbued with uniquely Japanese meanings, such as "celebration" and "increasing good fortune." By evolving masu into new forms that suit modern life, we will continue to deliver a new value: not "masu = traditional craft," but "masu = wooden product that enriches life."
A single board passes through many hands to become a small box. And at the bottom of that box, words of thought for someone lie dormant. We hope that with every touch, you can feel a little bit of Japanese craftsmanship and the skill of our artisans.
Math Salt Product Photo
First, please experience its feel and scent in your daily life.
