Oomugi: Japanese Whisky Shrine

Drawing influence from the shrines of Japan, Oomugi elevates whisky drinking to an act of ritual and reverence. The piece celebrates the cultivation and refinement of barley (oomugi), while inspiration from a 19th century  Ernest Gimson piece draws on the Arts and Crafts movement’s emphasis on honest materials, traditional techniques, and nature-inspired design.

The parquetry doors, inside and out, feature abstract patterns of seeds and crops, crafted using intricate ‘yosegi-zaiku’ techniques scaled to an unprecedented size. Contrasting cherry and sycamore woods symbolize Japan’s agricultural seasons—Spring’s ‘sakura’ cherry blossoms and Autumn’s ‘momiji’ acer leaves. Hand-turned sycamore trays and handles nod to traditional tools of sowing and harvest.

The result is a luxurious yet earthy piece, honouring meticulous craftsmanship and inspiring a reverence for Japanese whisky’s depth and complexity.