Our workshop in Jepara, Central Java
Born in the Forests of Java
A Forest. A Craftsman. A Single Board.
Deep in the teak forests of Central Java, generations of craftsmen have shaped wood into objects that outlast the hands that made them. Javanti Kayu was born from that tradition — not as a factory, but as a conversation between old craft and modern design.
“Wood that has already lived a life makes the most honest board.”
— Suharto. W, Head Artisan
Every cutting board begins as reclaimed teak — timber with a history. We source from old-growth plantation offcuts and decommissioned structures, never taking fresh-felled trees. What others discard, we transform into heirlooms.
The Makers
Meet the Artisans
Behind every board is a family. Our workshop in Jepara employs third-generation woodworkers whose craft is woven into the culture of Central Java.
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22 yearsSuharto Waluyo
Master Carver
Suharto learned to read wood grain before he could read words. He inspects every board by hand.
The Material
Why Teak. Why End Grain. Why Indonesia.
End Grain Construction
End grain exposes the cross-section of wood fibre, not the face. Knife edges slip between the fibres rather than cutting across them — so the board self-heals with every wash and protects your blades for decades.
Reclaimed Indonesian Teak
Indonesian teak (Tectona grandis) grown under Java's tropical sun produces a denser, oilier wood than plantation teak elsewhere. Those natural oils make it naturally water-resistant and deeply resistant to warping — without any chemical treatment.
Perum Perhutani Certified
Every plank we use originates from Perum Perhutani — Indonesia's state forestry enterprise managing over 2.4 million hectares of government-monitored plantation forest. No rainforest. No illegal logging. Full chain-of-custody traceability from plantation to your kitchen.
Where It Begins
Rooted in Java
Two ancient craft traditions. Two cities. One island. Every Javanti Kayu piece traces back to these coordinates.
Jepara
Central JavaKnown as the "City of Carvers", Jepara has been the centre of Indonesian woodcraft for over four centuries. Our workshop sits two kilometres from the Perhutani depot — where the teak arrives, our artisans shape it.
Yogyakarta
Special Region, JavaThe wetlands surrounding Yogyakarta are abundant with water hyacinth — a fast-growing plant that, if left unchecked, chokes local waterways. Our partner weavers harvest it sustainably and transform it into beautifully woven storage baskets.
Our Commitment
Good for the Waterway. Good for the Village.
Water hyacinth is one of the world's fastest-growing aquatic plants. Left unchecked, it smothers lakes and canals. Harvested thoughtfully, it becomes something extraordinary — and gives a livelihood to over 200 women across the villages surrounding Yogyakarta.
Invasive plant, beautiful purpose
Water hyacinth chokes the waterways of Yogyakarta's wetlands if not managed. By harvesting it, our partner weavers restore ecological balance while converting the plant into durable, beautiful baskets.
The women behind every basket
Nine out of ten baskets are woven by women — mothers, grandmothers, daughters — working from their homes and community weaving rooms. Each fair-wage order supports not just the weaver, but her entire household.
Zero waste from offcut to packaging
Offcut hyacinth fibres are composted back into the wetland soil. Teak sawdust from our Jepara workshop is used as kiln fuel. Our packaging is recycled kraft paper. We track waste at every step.
The Origin
How Javanti Kayu Began
A board made for a friend. A workshop built on trust. A brand grown from the ground up.
The First Board
It started with a gift. A hand-cut end grain teak board, made for a friend who loved to cook. The wood came from a decommissioned Javanese teak door frame. Three hours of work. No shop, no brand, no plans.
The Workshop in Jepara
Word spread. Ten boards became fifty. We partnered with Budi Santoso — a third-generation master carver in Jepara — and set up a small dedicated workshop. The first Perum Perhutani teak delivery arrived on a Tuesday morning in March.
Water Hyacinth
A friend in Yogyakarta introduced us to a women's weaving cooperative struggling to find reliable buyers for their water hyacinth baskets. We saw something beautiful and purposeful. Our second product line was born — and with it, partnerships with over 80 weavers.
Crossing the Pacific
First shipment to the United States and Canada. 120 cutting boards and 60 baskets, each wrapped in recycled kraft. Every piece sold within three weeks. We knew we had something real.
Still Made by Hand. Always.
Javanti Kayu remains a small, intentional brand. We have never used a machine for jointing or finishing. Every piece is touched by a human hand at every step — from the plantation in Java to your kitchen counter.
Ready to Own a Piece of Java
Built by hand. Built to last.
Whether you're choosing from our collection or commissioning something made exactly for your kitchen — every Javanti Kayu piece begins the same way: with the right wood, the right hands, and no shortcuts.