Tsujimoto Market: Our Guarantees
Description
MUJI Wazakura Octagonal Chopsticks — Japanese Cherry, 21 cm
Overview
Eight flat faces instead of a round or square section. That is the whole idea, and it does two things: the pair does not roll off the edge of a plate or a table, and it settles into the same orientation in your hand every time you pick it up, which is why octagonal is one of the most common profiles in Japan.
The wood is Japanese cherry — 和桜 wazakura, which is simply what MUJI calls it on the box — finished in acrylic urethane. MUJI's own description points out that cherry is the wood used for musical instruments and for sculpture: dense, fine-grained, and stable. At 9 g the pair is very light, and at 21 cm it is the shorter of the two standard adult lengths. These are hand-wash only — unlike the Aoba Symphony pair and the Ohashi Koujou set on the same shelf, which are made for the machine.
Choosing a length. The Japanese rule of thumb is issoku-hitomata: hold your hand with thumb and index finger at a right angle, measure between the two tips, and multiply by 1.5. For most adults that lands between 21 and 24 cm. 21 cm suits smaller hands, 23 cm is the general adult size, and if you are between the two, go longer — chopsticks that are slightly long are usable, chopsticks that are too short are not.
Key Benefits
- ✓ Octagonal section (八角) — does not roll, and finds the same grip every time
- ✓ Japanese cherry, the wood MUJI notes is used for instruments and sculpture: dense and fine-grained
- ✓ 9 g per pair — among the lightest chopsticks we stock
- ✓ 21 cm, the shorter adult length, which suits smaller hands better than the usual 23 cm
- ✓ Acrylic urethane finish over the bare wood, so the grain shows and the surface still wipes clean
- ✓ Bought in Japan and shipped from Kobe with tracking
Product Details
| Brand | MUJI / 無印良品 (Ryohin Keikaku) |
|---|---|
| Japanese product name | 和桜 八角箸 21cm |
| What 和桜 means | "Japanese cherry" — the product name, not a separate brand or a wood variety |
| Section | Octagonal (八角) |
| Length | 21 cm |
| Weight | 9 g per pair |
| Material | Japanese cherry wood, acrylic urethane finish |
| Colour | Natural |
| Dishwasher | No — hand wash only |
| Microwave | No |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| JAN / MUJI item no. | 4934761052229 / 61052229 |
Who Is This For?
- Anyone with smaller hands, or anyone who has found 23 cm slightly unwieldy
- People who prefer the feel of bare wood to lacquer
- Anyone who washes up by hand — this pair is not for a dishwasher household
- Those who want the octagonal profile specifically: it is the shape that stops chopsticks rolling
- Not for you if everything in your kitchen goes in the machine — pick a dishwasher-rated pair instead
How to Use
- Wipe with a damp cloth before first use.
- Use for anything — the octagonal section is as good with noodles as with rice.
- Hand wash in warm water with mild detergent. Do not put in a dishwasher.
- Do not leave soaking; cherry takes up water at the cut ends.
- Wipe dry immediately, air-dry fully, and store flat away from heat and direct sun.
Frequency: After every meal
Materials & Construction
Body: Japanese cherry wood, cut to an octagonal section. Finish: acrylic urethane. Care specification: hand wash only; not for dishwasher or microwave.
On the name. 和桜 reads wazakura and means "Japanese cherry". It is what MUJI prints on the box, and it describes the material — it is not a second brand and it is not a distinct species of cherry. The web address of this page reads as though Wazakura were a second brand; we have kept the address so existing links keep working, but the product is one item from one company.
Cautions
- Not a toy. Keep away from children under three — chopsticks are a puncture hazard and a choking hazard.
- Never use in a microwave and never use to stir something on the heat.
- Do not leave soaking. Water sitting in the grain or under a lacquer edge is what lifts a finish.
- Dry before storing. Stored damp, wood chopsticks develop mould at the tip where you cannot see it.
- Stop using a pair once the coating chips or cracks — the exposed edge harbours food residue and can splinter.
- Keep away from direct sunlight, radiators and high humidity.
Package Contents
- 1 × pair of MUJI 和桜 octagonal chopsticks, 21 cm
- MUJI paper band with Japanese care text
- No chopstick rest and no case are included
Shipping & Store Notes
- Ships directly from Japan
- Processing time: 2–6 business days
- Tracking number provided after dispatch
- Import duties and taxes may apply depending on destination country
- Unused chopsticks in unopened packaging can be returned; a pair that has been eaten with cannot, for hygiene reasons
- Lacquered and wooden items travel well but are not indestructible — tell us within 48 hours if yours arrives chipped and we will replace it
Authenticity Guarantee
Every product at Tsujimoto Market is bought in Japan on the domestic market and packed in Kobe. We do not sell replicas or grey-market goods, and we do not relabel. Chopsticks are one of the categories where imitation is common outside Japan, so this matters more here than it does on a bottle of shampoo.
FAQ
Can I put these in the dishwasher?
No. MUJI specifies hand wash only, and this is not a formality — a dishwasher cycle drives water into cherry grain, lifts the urethane at the tip and warps the pair. Three of the other chopsticks we stock are dishwasher-rated; this one is not, so do not assume from the neighbouring pages.
Is "Wazakura" a brand?
No. 和桜 wazakura means "Japanese cherry" and is what MUJI calls the product. The web address of this page reads as though it were a second maker; it is not. One product, one company: 無印良品.
Is 21 cm long enough for an adult?
For many adults, yes — 21 cm is one of the two standard adult lengths in Japan. The rule in the description above will tell you in about five seconds. If you land above 22 cm, take a 23 cm pair instead.
Why octagonal rather than round or square?
Round chopsticks roll and turn in the hand; square ones are stable but press into the fingers. Eight flats is the compromise — it stays where you put it and does not have a hard edge against the skin. It is the most common profile in Japanese homes for that reason.
How do I keep the wood from going grey at the tips?
Do not soak them, and dry them before they go in the drawer. Grey tips are almost always mildew from being put away damp. If it happens, a light scrub and thorough drying usually restores them; if the urethane has lifted, replace the pair. More wooden and lacquered pairs are in Japanese Kitchen Products.
