Kawai are immensely proud of their tradition and Japanese heritage. They've been making traditional wooden utensils from their factory in Obama, Japan since 1943, an area known for making over 80% of the nations chopsticks for over 400 years. So we think these guys know what they are doing. Chopsticks made in the Wakasa region are called “Wakasa-nuri-bashi (Wakasa lacquer chopsticks) and Kawai’s chopsticks are authentic and considerate to the planet using environmentally friendly materials and techniques that contemplate the Japanese ethos.