Name: Neko-han Cat Chopstick Rest (Tin) | Jutaro
Brand: kurita-sangyo
Price: 3750 JPY
Availability: InStock

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Neko-han Cat Chopstick Rest (Tin) | Jutaro

¥3,750

"Shizuoka Neko-han" was the cat of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Tokugawa shogun. After handing power back to the emperor, he spent about 30 years here in Shizuoka, away from politics and deep in hobbies — photography among them.

This piece is modeled on a photograph of that cat, "Shizuoka Neko-han," said to have been taken by Yoshinobu himself. We kept the small detail of the collar dressing up its neck.

*"Tokugawa Yoshinobu (in Court Dress)" and "Shizuoka Neko-han," collection of the Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History.

Length x Width x Height (mm) 49 x 30 x 27

Pure tin, 70g

A Shogun's Cat, in the Palm of Your Hand

Tokugawa Yoshinobu was the last shogun of the Tokugawa line. After he handed power back to the emperor, he spent his later years quietly in Shizuoka — and took up photography, among other things. He also had a cat he was clearly fond of.

This hashioki — a small rest for your chopsticks — comes from a photograph Yoshinobu took of that cat himself, known as "Shizuoka Neko-han" (han is an old term of respect). We cast it in tin, palm-sized, down to the little collar at its neck.

For cat people, obviously. But also for anyone who likes the idea of carrying a piece of Shizuoka's history to the table.

Tin: A Metal People Have Used for a Thousand Years

Tin — *suzu* in Japanese — has been part of daily life for more than a thousand years. It has a soft silver-white sheen, and because the metal itself is soft, people around the world have shaped it into all kinds of things.

In Japan, tin came into use around the Edo period. People kept it inside their water jars, because tin helps keep water from going bad. It doesn't rust easily, it's non-toxic, and it's been used for tableware and sake cups ever since.

A few things make tin a little special as a vessel. Its subtle ion effect softens the flavor of tea or sake poured into it. It conducts heat quickly, so a cold drink chills the whole cup almost the moment you pour it. Some people even keep cut flowers in a tin vase — the water stays fresher for longer.

Made by Hand, One at a Time

Every Jutaro piece is cast and finished by hand, one at a time. Casting — *chūzō* — starts with a mold. We pour the melted tin in, let it cool until it sets, and then polish it by hand until it's ready.

We stick to handwork because some things really do live in the hands of the artisan, not in a machine. The small natural ripples on the surface, the soft line of a rim shaped by hand — these are the details a machine can't quite reach, and they're part of what makes a handmade piece feel different to hold.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Tin — *suzu* in Japanese — is one of those metals that's been quietly part of daily life for a long time. It has a soft silver-white sheen, it doesn't rust easily, and it's non-toxic, which is why it's been used for tableware and sake cups for centuries.

Two things make tin a little special. It's a very good conductor of heat, and it has a subtle ion effect on whatever you pour into it. Tea, beer, and sake all seem to soften — the rough edges smooth out, and cold drinks stay cold longer. Some people even keep cut flowers in a tin vase, since tin helps keep the water fresh.

One thing to know: because tin conducts heat so quickly, it's not the right choice for hot drinks.

Everyday care

- Wash soon after use. Leaving liquids sitting in tin is the main cause of discoloration. A mild dish soap and a soft sponge are all you need.
- Dry it well. Water left on the surface can cause clouding or stains, so wipe with a soft cloth right after washing.

If smells or flavors linger

Dissolve a small spoonful of baking soda in lukewarm water and let the piece soak for a short while. Then wash as usual and dry thoroughly.

If the surface clouds or darkens

A little change over time is part of tin's character — we'd usually leave it. But if it really bothers you, make a paste of baking soda and water and polish gently with a soft cloth. No scrubbing, no metal polish.

Short answer: no to both.

Tin is a metal, so the microwave is out. And tin is soft enough that we don't recommend the dishwasher either — the high-heat drying cycle can change the surface, and the water pressure plus knocking against other dishes can scratch or even bend a piece out of shape.

A quick hand wash is really all it needs.

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