Binchotan made from a kiln after much trial and error.

A 30-minute drive deep into the mountains from Nachikatsuura Town. Passing through the gently opening Ota River and heading further into the mountains, you will find the Kodakumi district, surrounded by rich nature. If you look closely at one of the houses along the road, you will see a small sign that reads “Mahoraja“. It is an old house that has been renovated into a gallery that exhibits binchotan charcoal and paintings.

The binchotan displayed here is made in a kiln along the mountainside, a 10-minute walk from the gallery. Mr. Satoshi Hirata manages the kiln. He is an artist who paints colorful pictures of mythology and nature while working hard to make binchotan every day. He helped with the family business in Nara, but in his late 30s he decided to move to Nachikatsuura Town. He learned the art of making binchotan from scratch and has gradually developed his own style, making many mistakes along the way. He also built his own charcoal kiln from scratch.

Heavy and heavy, a work of mountain art

Binchotan is the highest quality white charcoal made from the ubame oak tree. Originating in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture in the Edo period (1603-1868), it has since been produced in southern Kishu, Shikoku, and other regions of Japan as a specialty product. It is characterized by its high quality, such as high fire power, long-lasting fire, and low smoke, and is still valued by many cooks today. Another characteristic of binchotan is that, despite its thin and elegant appearance, it feels very heavy in the hand.

”When I make a good product, I don’t want to sell it,” says Mr. Hirata. Binchotan is a useful product, but he also sees it as a kind of art. Some of his favorites are now on display in the gallery. ”We not only ship them to wholesalers, but also sell them to the public so that people can use them in their ordinary lives.”