A Visit to MOCKATS in Chizu, Tottori
Sharing stories of Japanese craftsmanship through the people, places, and products behind Cohana. Today, we visit MOCKATS in Chizu, Tottori, the workshop behind Cohana's Magewappa Toolbox with Embroidery Hoop.
Chizu, a Town Known for Its Fine Cedar
Located in the southeastern part of Tottori Prefecture, Chizu is a town where mountains and forests cover 93% of the land. Once a post town, the area around the workshop is dotted with wooden houses, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
We met Mr. Shoichi Kusakari, the magewappa craftsman who creates Cohana’s Magewappa Toolbox with Embroidery Hoop. His grandfather was a master carpenter, and he grew up in a home where a workshop and carpentry tools were simply part of everyday life.
Despite being surrounded by wood and tools from an early age, Mr. Kusakari laughs as he recalls, “I wasn’t particularly interested in woodworking when I was a child.”
Wood and tools were just that familiar to him.
From Furniture Making to Magewappa Craft
When he was 20, he once replaced the ceiling of his home. He found it surprisingly easy, which inspired him to start woodworking.
After that, he became more and more passionate about woodworking and started working for a local furniture-making company, producing wooden furniture and what is called “ashimono” (basic furniture with legs, such as desks and chairs).
The name “MOCKATS” comes from the Japanese phrase “mokko katsudo,” meaning woodworking activity.
How did Mr. Kusakari, once a furniture maker, come to start making Magewappa?
There is a Chizu Agricultural and Forestry High School a short distance from Mr. Kusakari’s home. He had the opportunity to learn magewappa techniques there. He said, “Now that I’ve learned it, I’ll put it into practice,” and began making magewappa pieces at home.
The story of Mr. Kusakari, who started making magewappa, became a hot topic in Chizu, a town mainly producing furniture and building materials, and gradually spread throughout the area. The number of orders slowly increased, and he eventually became independent, focusing on magewappa production in his current workshop.
Today, in order to meet growing demand, his mother also takes part in the production process.
Carefully Selected Precious Materials
The grain of wood differs depending on how it is cut. Depending on the cutting method, it is referred to as either “masame” (straight grain) or “itame” (flat grain). Straight grain refers to the part where the wood grain runs in parallel lines. Because it is taken from closer to the center of the tree, only a small amount of usable material can be obtained from each log.
Only a few pieces suitable for making magewappa can be taken from a single tree. In addition, the wood must come from trees that are 70 to 80 years old.
Mr. Kusakari explains its rarity in an easy-to-understand way: “It’s like the premium fatty tuna (otoro) in sushi.”
Even so, straight-grain wood (“masame”) is intentionally used for magewappa. In addition to its beautiful appearance, it is less prone to shrinking and warping, while offering excellent moisture- and air-regulating properties.
The Process of Making Magewappa
Side Panel
Align the thickness of the wood boards
(8 mm thick for the Cohana Magewappa Toolbox)
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Cut the edges and align the width
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Smooth the surface for a clean finish
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Cut a groove along the edge
(This is where the bottom panel will be fitted.)
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Thin both ends of the panel
(To keep the overlapping section the same thickness when bent.)
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Soak the side panel overnight, simmer for 30 minutes, then bend it into shape using a mold.
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7：Drying
Dry for a full day using specialized drying equipment
(This process takes place at a different location, so we didn't get a chance to see it during our visit.)
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Bottom Panel
Cut the bottom pieces into perfect circles
The machine used for this process was built by Mr. Kusakari himself.
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Make final adjustments and fit the bottom panel into the side panel
Achieving a perfect fit between the side and bottom panels requires remarkable skill.
Every step requires concentration and precise craftsmanship.
The same process is repeated to make the lid, requiring even more time and effort.
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Finally, the toolbox is finished with the Cohana logo, along with a top panel and embroidery hoop crafted in another workshop.
Wood Demands a Lot—And That's What Makes It Interesting
When asked about the appeal of woodworking, Mr. Kusakari smiles and says, “Wood is a demanding material.” The condition of wood changes with its environment. It absorbs moisture and expands, dries and shrinks, and may warp, crack, or fade in the sun. “It takes a lot of care, but that means the wood is alive. And that's what makes it interesting.”
What he especially appreciates is the color and beauty of the grain—one of the defining characteristics of Chizu cedar.
One look at a magewappa made from carefully selected cedar makes this clear. The bent sections, in particular, have a beautiful natural luster.
“Wood is something very familiar to us. It has warmth and is always around us.”
These words came naturally from Mr. Kusakari, who grew up surrounded by Chizu cedar and woodworking tools.
Looking Ahead: The Future of MOCKATS
While magewappa remains his main focus, Mr. Kusakari also creates a wide variety of wooden products. We were impressed by the custom-built machines in his workshop, but his experience as a furniture maker can also be seen in the larger pieces he creates, including cases for drum sets.
He enjoys exploring different forms of craftsmanship and occasionally collaborates with fellow artisans on new projects. He is currently developing a new piece that combines magewappa with wooden products made by a local kijishi artisan in Tottori.
Kijishi: a traditional woodworker who uses a wood lathe to shape wooden items, typically bowls, trays, and other household utensils.
A Machine That Caught Our Attention
A dust collection system in the workshop gathers the wood shavings and offcuts produced during the woodworking process. Once enough material has accumulated, it is taken to a nearby cattle farm and factory, where it is used as fuel. The amount may still be modest, but Chizu cedar is finding new uses beyond woodworking, helping ensure that every part of the material is put to good use within the local community.
Demand for Chizu cedar, once widely used as a building material, has declined in recent years.
“I'd like more people to learn about Chizu and the beauty of Chizu cedar,” says Mr. Kusakari.
His woodworking reflects the character of both Chizu—rich in natural beauty—and Chizu cedar, known for its striking grain and warm color.
— Could you show us something you couldn't work without?
Gloves
Whether sanding, cutting, or carrying wood, they're indispensable.
A must-have when working with such a demanding material.
MOCKATS
Produces magewappa, furniture, and other wooden products in Chizu, Tottori Prefecture.
With a desire to share the beauty of Chizu cedar, MOCKATS continues to develop new creations.
Location: Chizu, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
Featured work: Magewappa Toolbox with Embroidery Hoop
Website: https://www.mockats.com/
