Hiba Magemono (bent wood) designated as a Traditional Craft Product of Aomori Pref. is a bent woodwork using Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata), a kind of conifer. It features beautiful curved lines in which the grain of the tree is fully exploited. Hiba is called one of Japan’s Three Fine trees. As it grows slowly resisting cold wind and snow in the north land, its growth rings are elaborate and the wood is solid. In the bending work of Hiba Magemono, a gradual curve is made not by a mold form but by careful rolling of the wood along a round wood called goro. The daily items such as ladles and steaming baskets used to be made but with the change of lifestyle, they have been replaced by plastic products and have gone out of date. At present only one craftsman keeps the tradition supported by the customers who knows “the real things.” Why not use Hiba streaming basket, for example? Different from a stainless product, the wood moderately absorbs moisture and makes your dish far more delicious.