Until I bought “wooden tableware” in Bali! Part 3

Click here for the previous blog.

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One day, three days before I returned to Japan, I went to Jalan Jalan (meaning a stroll in Indonesian).

I found a wooden tableware shop on a street corner in Ubud. (I wanted to shop at a store that had a local feel, not a store that catered to tourists, so I wasn't surprised if that happened.)

I picked up a few, but, uhm, I couldn't finish them...I decided to start again.

A side street in the center of Ubud.

I stretched my legs out to the edge of town, and my eyes were glued to the tableware lined up in a shop (?) I happened to come across as I was passing by!

"Yeah, that's wonderful!"

While showing me a variety of items, I chose a few that I would like to use at home. The older man's eyes were shining brightly.

The view from inside the store.

“How much does this all cost?” I asked as I brought it to them, but it looked like it would be a very high price!

While I was feeling excited, my son (I think he's in his mid-30s) came home.
When I spoke to him, I learned that his family is also a craftsman, and that he runs a workshop on Java Island and employs a staff of craftsmen.

Oh my God! Are you a craftsman yourself and run a factory (workshop?)?

In my father's generation, they mainly made Buddhist statues and ornaments, but they were no longer selling well. So his son started making tableware and spoons. Small tableware can be made from leftover wood from making Buddhist statues and furniture, so there is no waste.

Try picking them all up. My hair is too messy! This is the hair tie.

The only material used is teak wood from Java. Teak is a hard and expensive wood. It is rich in natural oils, which allows it to be used in its natural state without the need for topcoating.

Most commonly available wooden vessels are finished with varnish or stain. One of the characteristics of teak wood is that it can be used as is!

If you point out any rough spots, the craftsman will sand it down on the spot and finish by applying coconut oil. Safe and simple!

Apparently they have a workshop on Java Island because they can get wood cheaper there (→ I want to go there when the timing is right!). He says he travels on his motorbike about once a week, a journey that takes about 6 hours each way.

When I asked him, "It's far away and difficult."

"Not at all! If you drive by car, the traffic is terrible!"

It's true that traffic jams in Indonesia are terrible. A bright and cheerful smile. I was able to open up to him all at once.

However, it is perfect for everyday use. It doesn't have a rustic feel with a handmade feel, but it has just the right amount of distortion and individual differences that are cute. It has an 'exquisite texture' that is different from the uniformity of mass production, which is just right!

I took the plunge and asked, "Can I buy this and sell it in Japan?"

“I was thinking that it would be great if we could sell it in Japan as well~ Very, very welcome!”

That's the story. Wow! Kita! !

I was feeling anxious (I feel nervous at times like that), but since it was getting late that day, I decided to clear my head and start over the next day.

I went back to the hotel and sorted them out. Yeah, it's really good.

LINE for Kaneko. I haven't seen the actual product, so I thought it would be okay to buy it from my own wallet instead of buying it from AMONG...

This lightness...as expected! !

the next day.

"Let's buy as much as we can fit into one cardboard box."

After making that decision, my husband and I picked up every single dish on the shelf and made our decision while talking a lot.

“How many pieces should I use? 10 pieces? Too many?! Not enough?!”
"Ah, this is nice, but there are scratches. It's no good."
“I wish this was a little bigger!!”
"That's really good!!" (Yokohama dialect ^^)

Once you have decided, it is time to pay. My son measures the size and writes down the price. It seems that the price is determined by the size. Since it is a wholesaler and the quantity is reasonable, they took that into account when presenting the price.

"Yeah, OK!"

yeah? ? I basically didn't plan on negotiating any further if the price wasn't what I expected, but it felt like the price was just right, not weirdly cheap or expensive.

When I asked them to roughly tell me the shipping cost for one cardboard box, I actually paid a little less for the shipping cost (shipping costs are expensive, right?)...

"It's okay! Even if I buy this, I won't be stuck!" (encouraging myself)

Since my return date was approaching, I received a message later with the exact shipping cost and decided to pay it after I returned (just like with Japanese postal services, the correct amount would not be given unless you weighed the item).

“I don’t know how to do international remittances, but it’s okay, there are a lot of people in the world who do it!” (encourages himself again)

My husband and I encouraged each other to feel the same slightly anxious feelings that we experience when creating a new product, and in this way we purchased a box of cardboard.

(Buying overseas is something I've always wanted to do. I'm happy that one of my dreams has come true.)

The day of my return to Japan has arrived, having not only the opportunity to meet tableware craftsmen, but also many joys and joys.

Thank you, God of travel!

after that.

The day I returned from Bali, while lying on the floor (too tired to stand up), I researched ways to send money internationally.

Compare and consider fees, convenience, etc., and choose the method that seems best.
During this time, we will communicate the progress frequently so that the craftsmen do not feel anxious.

I was able to send money a week after opening the account. Yay! (Even though I was exhausted, I did a great job!)

I was very nervous until I received a reply saying, ``I received the money.''
The item was shipped immediately after receiving the money, and the package was delivered to my home 4 days later!

"Wow! It's here!! It smells like a strange foreign smell (can you feel it?!)!!!"

Unearth tableware from among the shredded paper! Gosogoso.

The tableware from Bali has finally arrived. Welcome Japan!

“Wow, now I can show it off!!!”

You can do it~~ 🎵 Well, it wasn't.
Please join us for another episode. (Nakamura)

(Continue)

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