Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Reinventing Disposable: Elegant Japanese Paper Tableware

Posted: 09 Jun 2013 10:00 AM PDT

Do guests at your less formal gatherings deserve less hospitality than those attending holiday dinners? Disposable tableware is certainly convenient, but it can have a very casual feel, which isn’t always fitting for the occasion. A Japanese line of eco-friendly plates, cups and bowls called WASARA brings a bit of style and panache to the table. Made from non-wood materials such as the pulp of an invasive reed plant and sugarcane waste, this single-use tableware series is simple, modern and beautiful.

When objects are given more thought, they’re given more value. Assigning aesthetic value to transient objects may help people think more carefully about how such objects are used. The designers sought to address the problem of unnecessary waste while also paying tribute to the Japanese tradition of hospitality.

The result is a product with a streamlined design, tailored to Japanese cuisine, which “gives a fine appearance t the tableware with sushi on it.” Each item is ergonomic and made to be clutched in one’s hand while standing, as guests typically do at parties.

The wine cup has a wide rim and a small base for comfort in the hand, while the coffee cup has a dipped handle that doubles as a spout. The wave shape of the kaku/maru plate provides a natural grip.