Omusubi

According to Wikipedia, Onigiri, which is also known as Omusubi, Nigirimeshi, or simply, rice ball, “is a Japanese food made from white rice formed into triangular or cylindrical shapes and often wrapped in nori”. Technically it does not need to be in the well known triangular shape, or wrapped with nori, or stuffed with tasty things. It can just be rice, and salt. Yum! Various explanations about the different names exist, such as how omusubi are named after Takamimusubi and Kamimusubi, two of the creation gods from Japanese mythology. By shaping the rice balls into mountain shapes and eating them, you might share in the divine powers!

Developer of global digital marketing campaign strategies and self-taught woodworker Jason DeGeorge might have a few of these divine powers, based on how nicely crafted his debut puzzle box turned out. Formed in the shape of the classic Japanese snack, it’s an homage to Hakone and the godfathers of puzzle boxes, the Karakuri Creation Group. Jason shared his story: “I have always enjoyed building things since I was a kid. I used to work with my dad on projects around the house and create art projects with my mom. As I got older I started working with tools more, building furniture, making lamps, decorative boxes and other little gifts for family and friends. In recent years, I have been building up my garage with a wider assortment of tools and continuing to push myself to try more difficult projects and practice new forms of woodworking. YouTube and Instagram are my main sources for identifying new skills to try and inspiration for my projects, which I work on in my garage during my free time.”

Online videos from a well-known puzzle enthusiast who featured Karakuri style boxes, and high end craftsmen like Craig Thibodeau, inspired Jason into new territory. “After seeing those videos I began practicing marquetry and testing the use of mechanical/trick components. I then started adding those elements into my projects like a toy chest, piggy bank, watch boxes and tea boxes. I really enjoyed the challenge and it helped bring my work to the next level. Last summer, I took a trip to Japan with my girlfriend. After watching tons of Karakuri and puzzle box videos online and starting to build some of those elements into my work, I made sure to dedicate some time to visit Hakone and the Karakuri Museum. As a woodworker, this is my version of Disneyland.  I was able to see the beautiful craftsmanship up close, play with some of the boxes and even purchased a few (which started my puzzle box collection).  After seeing the work up close I decided that I wanted to try making my own small puzzle box and started writing down ideas immediately.

I absolutely love Japanese puzzle boxes that look like real world objects like food, animals, houses, radios, cameras, bottles, etc.. and I know that I am not alone in that interest!  I love the challenge in this because remaking objects is very tricky, everyone knows what those objects should look and if you don’t perfectly capture the correct shapes, proportions, color… the box will look very bad. So I started coming up with a few designs that would align with what I love and knew would be a difficult challenge to make and progress as a woodworker. As I mentioned throughout our trip in Japan i was writing down ideas for puzzle boxes and came up with the idea for a rice ball shaped box during one of our frequent snack breaks at 7/11 and Lawson.” It may have been very tricky but Jason has done an outstanding job of creating the rice ball shape. The object is of extremely high quality, lovely and smooth in contrasting woods. It is also far more complex than it might appear. “While this design may look simple from the outside believe it or not there are 39 very precise pieces used to make up the box and the internal mechanisms (most of those pieces are in a very small area). As with all of my work this box started with a run to the lumber yard and then cutting, milling and processing 10’+ long pieces of lumber down to each individual piece using the tools in my garage. One fun fact is that while the final shape of this box is a triangle, up to the very end it is built and processed as a square which helps ensure proper alignment, secure glue ups and ease of making the pieces.”

Names can be a window into the work, and I’m always curious about puzzle (and cocktail) names. “The box was originally just going to be called Onigiri. As I was talking with my girlfriend about this project and was thinking about having a design to represent my work on packaging, she mentioned that another name for Onigiri is Omusubi which can use different characters and can have different meanings. Later I set up a meeting with an amazing graphic designer from Japan who also mentioned the use of Omusubi during our initial call. As he dug deeper with various questions about the project and myself, I described to him why I wanted to make this box and what puzzle box work represents to me. It became very clear I needed to switch to Omusubi which captures the “connection” that I hope to form with this work.”

This was Jason’s first major puzzle release, and naturally there was a lot to learn. “Most of the challenges revolved around this being my first time making 30 of the same exact same item. I learned a lot about developing very detailed plans that capture every step for every piece. Also, I had to consider how to simplify processes and components as much as possible so it could be a repeatable process. After I made a successful prototype, I didn’t have to make many changes outside of finalizing the outer shape and finding the best wood for the seaweed.  I did make one change to the internal mechanism to make it harder to open late in the build as I got close to the end and was worried it would be too easy to open.” It’s not …. I think we are in for a real treat having this new designer in the world. He is full of ideas. “The next few puzzle boxes that I plan on building will be animal themed boxes.  I absolutely love animal themed boxes and boxes that look like real objects which is where I would like to continue to challenge myself as a craftsman in my aspiration to be able to build at the level of the Karakuri Creation Group (Fun themes with good stories, sturdy construction, make the design as simple as possible and flawless execution). I have learned a lot as a craftsman by studying their designs and trying to inject that methodology with my own spin.”

“I loved the first time I shared my prototype with friends. I shared my design with a family with 3 kids and loved seeing each of them take turns trying to solve it, getting excited when they had new ideas on how to open it and everyone having to remind the dad to allow the kids to have a turn. It was extremely rewarding to see them enjoy and engage with my work.”

It seemed appropriate to have a Japanese styled cocktail to toast the Omusubi box, and as I contemplated what might pair well, I was struck by how similar the word Negroni (a favorite cocktail) is to the word nigori (a style of cloudy sake). Rice is the theme of the puzzle box, and rice would be the theme of the cocktail, it became clear. Of course, it would also be a Negroni, because any excuse for one is welcome. A sake Negroni – in fact, a Nigori Negroni.

I also happened to have a rather unique vermouth from Japan, the Oka Kura Bermutto. As you will recall, the Negroni is traditionally composed of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. This Japanese version would naturally have sake in place of gin. But using this special vermouth added a whole new element to the drink as well. The Oka Kura is made with Junmai (“pure rice”) sake (so technically not a “vermouth” which is made from grape wine). Similar to vermouth, it is infused with distinct botanicals: yuzu, kabosu, sansho peppercorn, and yomogi – this last is a wormwood, which adds bitterness required for a true vermouth-like experience. Finally the vermouth is fortified with another higher proof spirit, which in this case is Japanese shochu. Each element is unique and makes this a fascinating and delicious vermouth. It was the perfect accompaniment to some Omusubi – kampai!

Nigori Negroni

1 oz sake (preferably nigori style)

1 oz Oka Kura Bermutto

1 oz Campari

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass over a large cube. Savory rice ball or hard cheese dipped in soy garnish.

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