This is one of my two new wooden fly boxes that arrived today from Japan. This box is handmade by Japanese woodworker Kazuo Kurahashi (AKA “Kura-san“) and is constructed of hinoki (Japanese Cypress)–a popular wood in Japan used to build everything from furniture to shrines and temples.
Hinoki has a very high strength-to-weight ratio making it a superb choice for a fly box. It also has subtle wood grains that add character and are really brought out by the unique finish (which is made from ground cashew shells).
The overall look is simple and elegant but the box is also very practical.
Specs
Dimensions: 4.65′” (W) x 2.76″ (D) x 0.87″ (H) / 118 mm (W) x 70 mm (D) x 22 mm (H)
Weight: 1.5 oz. / 42.52g
Compartments: 8
Closure: Magnetic
Materials: Wood, brass, cork
For one thing, the box is extraordinarily light at just 1.5 oz. Compared to the Wheatley I normally carry, this weighs nothing. The wood itself is light to begin with but Kura-san’s expert woodworking skills allow him to make the walls much thinner than most wooden boxes I’ve seen.
Open House
Kura-san’s impeccable craftsmanship is evident in every detail.
The dividers that form the 8 compartments are so precisely fitted that you’d be hard pressed to slip a piece of paper between them. They’re even removable for customization.
While it serves no practical purpose, the cork lining gives the inside of the box a nostalgic, bespoke look–an elegant residence for my kebari.
One thing that has always impressed me about Japanese woodworking is its joinery. It always seems like a perfectly fitted puzzle to me. On my box, he added corner buttresses to the mortise joints (I’m sure I’m not using the correct technical terms) for good reinforcement of the walls; which again, allows the use of thinner walls to reduce overall weight without sacrificing weight.
Each corner in both the lid and the base has embedded rare-earth magnets which provide a solid, yet still easy-to-open closure.
The two brass hinges are smooth, strong, and compliment the color palette of the cork and hikoni handsomely!
One feature I really appreciate is the small indentation on the front providing a place to open the box effortlessly with your thumb.
Another thing I like is something that many people don’t think about, but you soon become acutely aware during use: this box opens completely flat. If you’ve ever used a box that doesn’t (and many wood ones don’t), you know what I’m talking about–it’s awkward to get access to your flies (especially if it’s a double-sided box with fly storage in both the lid and the base.
I much prefer boxes that do lay flat and that’s one more reason why I bought this one.
Overall, this is an incredibly well made box that has thoughtful features which were obviously designed by someone who truly understands the spirit of tenkara.
I have several wooden boxes that are special to me, but this one embodies everything I would ask for if I were asked to describe my ideal wooden box:
- ✔️ Exceptionally light to reduce my pack weight
- ✔️ Slim and compact to minimize pack bulk
- ✔️ I prefer compartments to foam
- ✔️ The capacity-to-size ratio is high
- ✔️ Secure closure but still easy to open
- ✔️ Handmade of unique materials
- ✔️ An interesting history or anecdote behind it
- ✔️ Beautiful yet functional
In other words …
“I love it when form and function come together”
And I have special plans for this one (you’ll see).
Since they’re handmade on-demand, availability can be limited and sporadic. But in my opinion, it’s well worth the wait.
Get more information and order one on the Tenkara-Ya website. Note: I suggest contacting Keichi-san (the owner) to check the current status.
Beautiful handcrafted box.
I want one😀
The pictures don’t really do it justice. It’s amazing when you hold it in your hands.
I was fortunate enough to get a pair of these from tenkara-ya and agree with everything you say. They are wonderful little boxes. I use one to display the collection of kebari Ive received from Masami over the years when ive purchased rods from him. The other will be in my EDC pack this summer.
That’s great Ryan! Do you ever use them for dries or just kebari? I’m on the fence about what I want to use mine for.
7 of the compartments are kebari with a mix of futsu and sakasa, a few bigger oni style kebari and one compartment is ballon caddis. As a life long tier I wind up with endless boxes packed with flies and my hopes with these is to minimize a bit. Im not quite ready for the one fly approach but 8 I can wrap my head around. My main goal for the up coming season is try and stick with un weighted flies whether its kebari or dries. I started heading that way last year and its very rewarding/challenging after 30 years of 95% nymphing.
Ah, you’re a fellow Balloon Caddis guy! I literally just tied up about a dozen a couple of days ago to get ready for the Spring. It’s either my first or second favorite caddis dry. I’m still debating if I want to use mine for dries or kebari. The problem is, it’s perfect for both! Maybe I should just get another one and use one for kebari and the other for dries. They’re so thin that both of them will fit into my Yonah pack. Decisions, decisions ..
I have one of these boxes on the way and am looking forward to using it. I love the hand crafted design of this box.
Hi Allen, that’s great. They have a beauty you won’t fully appreciate until you hold it in your hands. You’ll see what I mean right after you unwrap it. 🙂 I love everything he makes. I’m waiting for his next stock of spools because I want to get two more. I heard he was going to come out with a double-decker spool a la Dennis Vander Houwen’s early spools. But then I also heard he’s thinking about retiring soon. So, we’ll have too see. At least I got my three boxes and spool from him. They’re heirlooms and part of tenkara history.
Thanks, Jason. It should be here in a couple of weeks. I will have to take a look at the spools. I also ordered a Sebatake-kun t-shirt which will be cool as well.
Hi Allen, that’s great! I actually have that t-shirt!
Jason, my package arrived today! Very fast shipping from Japan. I love the box and shirt. My wife is leaving Friday to spend a few weeks with her mother so I will have time to tie and fill it up. Thanks for featuring this box. This was the last one they had so I let them know to email me when the nest shipment comes in as I will be ordering a couple more.