ALEXCIOUS

The warmth & beauty of 100% natural materials

Urushi-lacquered in the traditional way, each lightweight yet durable wooden mug is handcrafted from a single block of natural timber. They are easy to handle and offer excellent insulation for both hot and cold beverages. The elk skin cord can of course be changed to a hemp cord or a strap according to personal preferences.

About Urushi

Urushi is the sap of the urushi tree. It has strong adhesive properties and is used as a lacquering material that on hardening becomes extremely durable and produces a glossy finish. It can be found widely throughout Eastern Asia and has been used in Japan for several thousand years. The word ‘urushi’ is thought to have originated from the Japanese uruwashi or urumu, which approximates to the English for fresh and vibrant gloss. When urushi hardens it is very resistant to both acids and alkalis and is durable enough to last several thousand years. Urushi vessels have been found in excavations that date from the Jomon period (8000 BC - 300 BC). There have even been cases reported where the original wooden base has completely rotted away but the original urushi coating has remained with its color and quality preserved.