Hinoki Wood Sake Cup Wedding Favor

Yesterday, I attended the wedding of a member of my “calabash” family. In Hawaii, a “calabash” is a bowl, and it represents the mixing of ingredients, particularly salads. Consequently, a calabash family includes in-laws of in-laws, second and third cousins, and others who are related in any remote way by marriage or birth.

So much for the cultural language lesson. That’s not the point of this. The point is that as a wedding favor, each person at the wedding reception buffet was given a wooden sake cup, which was then used to toast the happy couple in a traditional Hawaii “Banzai” toast of Japanese sake (sah-kay).

The beautifully simple yet elegantly perfect Hinoki wood cups were beautifully created and brought over from Japan, hand-carried by the Japanese partner of the bride’s father’s law firm.

Which made me curious. What exactly is Hinoki wood?

Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis Obtusa), aka hinoki cypress or hinoki, is native to, and grows only in, central Japan. Lemon-scented, with rich, straight grain, it's highly rot-resistant and is one of Japan’s most prized woods. Temples (Horyuji Temple), castles (Osaka Castle) shrines (Ise Shrine), and emperor’s caskets have been built from the wood.

Hinoki wood oil has been found to reduce stress and skin problems such as skin irritations, rashes, cuts and abrasions. It kills bacteria, viruses and viral infections, as well as fungus. It’s a relaxant and decongestant as well, and can help treat stuffy noses, congested sinuses and chest, respiratory and breathing problems.

Amazing. I am so honored to own one of these cups.