Azmaya

"Tools that last a thousand years when treated with care." What is Azmaya?

Azmaya is a daily-goods brand founded in 1997. Leveraging traditional craft techniques passed down across Japan, the brand continues to create "lifelong" tools suited to modern living.

The greatest characteristic of Azmaya\'s manufacturing is its collaborative system with trusted domestic handcraft makers (artisans and workshops). Partnering with specialists in every material — pottery, woodwork, metal, glass, lacquer, bamboo, fabric — and accumulating enormous prototyping and trial use with designers, products are completed. The official site introduces over 70 artisans and workshops as production partners — the breadth speaks to Azmaya\'s trust and quality.

Product categories span widely — "Flower," "Dining Table," "Tea Room," "Kitchen," "Cleaning," "Bath," "Storage," "Furniture," "Entrance," "Disaster Prep," "Smoke" — covering every scene of life. While valuing past wisdom, the brand proposes tools that combine modern design and functionality from the user\'s perspective.

Azmaya\'s Brass Cutlery | Hime Fork & Hime Spoon

The signature works of Azmaya\'s brass cutlery are the "Hime Fork" and "Hime Spoon." Designed by Osamu Saruyama and manufactured by Sakami Kogei in Arakawa-ku, Tokyo. Inspired by "kuromoji" (toothpicks) added to wagashi at Japanese tea ceremonies, the delicate and small form is the characteristic.

Hime Fork is about 5g and Hime Spoon is about 8g — extremely lightweight, yet brass\'s calm shine adds refined elegance to the dining table. Perfect for piercing and eating small bite-sized items such as wagashi, cut fruit, cheese, and olives. Cutlery that blends with both Japanese and Western tableware, combining usability and beauty.

The material is solid brass (lead-free) without antioxidants used, growing into an antique-like deep texture with patina as you use it. For those who are concerned about the unique brass flavor, a silver-plated version is also prepared. In addition to single-piece sales, sets of 5 are also handled — popular for guest use and as gifts.

For choosing brass cutlery and comparisons with other brands

You might also like: Complete brass cutlery guide

Recommended Brass Cutlery (Made in Japan) | Spoons, Forks, and Other Lifelong Dining Tools

Representative Azmaya products

Besides brass cutlery, Azmaya develops gems in a wide range of genres.

• Dining Table: Inban chopstick rests, inban small plates, cheese boards, wooden spoons, Miyajima rice paddles
• Tea Room: Kyusu teapots (Tokoname-ware, flat kyusu, etc.), juicers, cups / nonics
• Kitchen: Cutting boards, rice bins, ohitsu rice containers, copper kettles, iron tetsubin kettles (collaboration with Oitomi)
• Flower: Vases, flower vessels
• Cleaning / Bath: Palm-fiber scrubbers, dustpans, tubs

All products are crafted by domestic artisans — "lifelong" tools committed to materials and techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions about Azmaya

Q. Where can I purchase Azmaya products?

A. They are widely available at select shops and online stores nationwide.
Widely carried at shops handling daily life tools — such as scope, cotogoto, free design, and LIVING MOTIF. Also purchasable from multiple shops on Rakuten Market. Product information can be checked on the official site (azmaya.co.jp).

Q. Which should I choose, the brass or silver-plated Hime Fork?

A. If you want to enjoy patina, the brass version; if you\'re concerned about metal taste, the silver-plated version is recommended.
The brass version (solid) has the appeal of growing into a deep antique texture the more you use it. On the other hand, for those concerned about the unique metallic taste or scent of brass, the silver version — with the mouth-contacting part finished in silver plating for a cool look — is recommended.

Q. How do I care for it?

A. After use, wash with water and wipe off moisture immediately.
Washing with mild detergent and a soft sponge and wiping off moisture immediately is sufficient for daily care. If left with moisture, verdigris (green rust) may appear, but it is harmless and non-toxic, so please rest assured. If concerned, it can be polished off with a mixture of vinegar and salt. If you want to restore the original shine, please use commercial metal polish or polishing cloth.

Q. What is the weight and size of Azmaya\'s "Hime Fork"?

A. Hime Fork is about 5g and Hime Spoon is about 8g — extremely lightweight.
True to the name "Hime" (princess), the small and lovely size is perfect for serving wagashi and fruit. Of a size you can use casually like a toothpick, yet the brass shine adds a touch of special feeling to the dining table.