Ngaben, or Cremation Ceremony

This ritual is performed in Bali to send the deceased to their next life. The deceased will be placed as if sleeping and no tears are shed because the Balinese believe in reincarnation. The right day needs to be chosen for the ceremony when the body will be placed in a Buffalo made from paper and wood and being carried to the cremation site. The Balinese try to confuse bad spirits away from the deceased by processing in curves and rotations.

Once at the cremation site the whole structure with the deceased will be burned to free the spirit and enable reincarnation or find his final rest in Moksha (freeing from the reincarnation and death cycle).

Farewell, Empu Made Mangku Wija 1917-2013.
May your knowledge and wisdom gently passed on.

It was an honor for us to meet you.

IMG_5885

IMG_5891a

IMG_5899

IMG_5904

IMG_5939a

IMG_5942a

IMG_5942a

Cutting Board

As an additional product to our Shastra Line we designed in collaboration with our Austrian friend and Chef Peter Troissinger our new cutting board. Peter is one of the most talented young chef’s on the globe, at the age of  21 he achieved the global master chef title of the WACS societies. With 26 he recently got No.4 in the world at the Chaine des Rotisseurs event held in Berlin.

In 2011 his continuos drive and creativity made him create his own brand of cutting boards and serving boards. It’s very exciting to work with Peter, for more Information please visit:

woodi.at/

Specifications & Dimensions

– Dimensions 41.8 cm x 27.8 cm x 2.4 cm
– Makassar ebony wood
– Acrylic polymer inlay/ dishwasher proof

IMG_9838 copyblog

IMG_9831 copyblog

IMG_9827 copyblog

schneidbrett1

IMG_9841 copyblog

Steak Knives Set

The demand for extra sharp and luxury steak knives has driven us to create a new line, the Shastra Steak Knives. The mission was to create a set of eight knives with exceptional design and materials that celebrate ergonomic function while maintaining the traditional aesthetics of intricate Balinese carvings.

The damascus blades were hand-forged to 161 Layers of manganese iron, pure nickel and a high carbon steel. Completed with an ebony handle and sandblasted sterling silver applications, this set of eight comes in a box made from indian rosewood and covered with fine black calf skin.

It’s our pleasure to present our newest creation.

IMG_8149_8er set

IMG_8330steakm_680

IMG_8134steakmesser

IMG_8333_steakm_grire680

IMG_8171-steakmesserbox

Update Chris Salans

Chris Salans receiving the Miele Award for Mozaic no. 5 position in the guide book of the best restaurants in Asia. Congratulation Chris!

Notes from the Miele Guide 2013
…The evergreen appeal of this restaurant in a garden setting is multi-pronged. There is, of course, the charm of the venue. Tucked in a quiet part of Ubud, away from haggling tourists and local touts, it is an oasis of calm once you step through its Balinese doorway…

Miele 2013

Chris Miele 2013

Miele 2013 book