Tableware Specimens | Tulpe

This is a delicate series inspired by tulip flowers that sprout in spring.

This series was also the first set of cutlery Hiro Kashihara gave his wife, which inspired him to start his career as an artist.

The deliberately worn-out design gives the table a calming atmosphere just by being there.

With your favorite novel, a cup of hot coffee, and the sunlight streaming in through the window, you might be able to create some relaxing time just for yourself that will make you sigh in relief.

Tableware Specimens

Tableware Specimens is a body of work that encapsulates the time Hiro Kashihara has spent continuously facing each piece.

Their deliberately subdued, time-worn surfaces recall the tactile sensations of making and the memory of the moment when form first emerged. Emotions and stories settle and solidify, standing quietly as traces of what has passed.

They are not merely cutlery, but vessels in which time itself is preserved—like specimens.
Enclosed in boxes or frames, these works shift their role from functional tools to objects of contemplation.

Each piece bears a handwritten label stating its title, material, completion date, and signature. These details—recorded only in that singular moment—remain as proof of the time dwelling within the work.

The act of viewing unfolds along a different time axis than use. Through quiet observation, one can sense the layers of thought and heat accumulated during creation, even the air that has brushed against the surface over time.

Tableware Specimens are works that invite the viewer to trace backward into the artist’s time and savor its lingering traces.

Each time your gaze happens to rest upon them in daily life, the layers of memory deepen quietly—
Please enjoy these specimens of time.

* Tableware Specimens are art pieces intended for display. Please read the notes below carefully before purchasing.

Artist

Hiro Kashihara

I create small supporting characters that quietly hold up the beauty and deliciousness of the table.

My journey into cutlery making began when my wife, who loves cooking, collected beautiful tableware and cutlery. Wanting to create moments that would make her happy and to offer her beautiful tea times, I began making cutlery myself.

Since 2020, I have been working as a cutlery artist, developing a style based on the concept of “Spoon You Nurture,” using materials such as brass and nickel silver that enhance the enjoyment of aging over time.

Today, I see cutlery as a canvas, creating new works by distilling scenes and moments I find beautiful into simple forms.

The Appeal of Brass

Brass is a material traditionally used in antique tableware.
It is an alloy of copper and zinc, and typically possesses a beautiful golden luster.

In Hiro Kashihara’s work, the surface is heat-treated to create a distinctive matte, amber-toned finish. This process produces subtle shadows and depth, allowing the material’s quiet character to emerge.

The artist handcrafts each piece.
There may be differences in texture, color, shape, and size between the photograph and the piece you receive, but we hope you will enjoy each piece's unique character.