Yamani Woodworks, based in Ōmachi City in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, creates salt and pepper mills by hand-turning local nagano wood into sculptural forms—some architectural, others curved, and many a blend of both. Artisans use kijibiki, a traditional lathe-carving technique, to shape clean, symmetrical silhouettes, followed by tategi-dori, a vertical cut along the grain that strengthens and stabilizes the wood. The finish, fuki-urushi, involves applying and wiping raw lacquer to enhance the natural texture and provide a lasting seal. Inside each spice mill, precisely engineered blades cut rather than crush, delivering a consistent grind and fuller flavor.