In Japan , a rugged stadium or mug is n’t needfully designate for the nigh applesauce bin . Through the art ofkintsugi , the sherd are glued back together with a gold sealskin that call attention to the cranny — the general musical theme being that flaw make something even more beautiful .
In a standardized vein , many splintered baseball bats are also give a Modern lease on life in Japan . Bats that end up being broken by professional player are often turn intokattobashi : " a mash - up of the Japanese word for chopsticks and a baseball chant that translate as ' get a big hit,'“The New York Timesexplains . That ’s right — sport mementos that would typically be sell for upwards of $ 50 in the U.S. are turn into reusable chopsticks in Japan .
Each time of year , approximately 10,000 wooden bats are transformed into those omnipresent eating utensil in an feat to cut down on waste and aid save a threatened species of ash tree called the aodamo . Some at-bat are made from this stuff , although the practice is less common today because the trees are n’t readily uncommitted . Today , most are made from imported maple and white ash .
Sports teams in Japan were n’t always so eco - conscious , though . The broken bat used to be burned or give away until chief executive Hyogoo Uratani of the Hyozaemon chopstick company issue forth along . With supporter from a ally who had been a pro baseball player , they convinced 12 teams to start reprocess their bats . It ’s a mutually beneficial deal , with Hyozaemon pay a licensing fee to the teams , and the Nippon Professional Baseball organisation donating funds each year to the non-profit-making Aodamo Preservation Society .
They ’re also fun memorabilia to have on hand . A saw is used to break down the bat into small bit , which are sanded into the shape of chopsticks . Team logos are imprinted on the wider part up top , and lastly they ’re coated in lacquer . For the ultimate baseball rooter , it ’s a path to incorporate team superbia into every facial expression of day-by-day biography — even breakfast .
[ The New York Times ]
