These are handbags woven with Akebi vine. In Nagano Prefecture, some baskets are woven from Akebi vines with the outer skin peeled off — Unbarked vine, but this one is woven from akebi vines with brown outer skin — Barked vine, just as they are in nature.
On this page, we present two sizes: small and medium. The process of making both sizes is almost the same.
The body part is woven in a method called “Ajiro-weaving”.The relatively thick akebi vine is split in half and woven regularly in a row of two strands each.Ajiro-weaving is widely used in bamboo crafts, but it is somewhat rare in Akebi vine crafts, and the woven pattern is not often seen in other prefectures. However, when you see the finished product in front of your eyes, you will have a taste of Akebi vine’s unique Ajiro woven texture.Next is a side view of the rim. As with the entire weaving, the thicker vine is split in half and woven with fewer gaps.The rim is viewed from above. The rim is weaved from both sides to create a strong rim.The connection between the rim and the handle. Two rings are fastened together like a chain.This ring type is also said to last relatively long because it allows freedom of movement and is less stressful on the connection.The handle is neither too thin nor too thick, but a comfortable thickness for the hand.The handles open outward like this at the maximum, and can also be folded down inside. It is easy to put things in and out.The bottom portion is similarly woven in the same way. There are few gaps, and it is strong and reliable.This is a small size.This is a medium size.Medium size.Medium size.
Akebi vines have retained their original texture as they grew wild in the mountains. The natural gradation of colors and soothing hues will never get old no matter how much you look at them. They make us feel calm and relaxed.
Although the weaving is tightly woven, it does not feel heavy because it is entirely woven with half-split Akebi vine. Akebi vine handbags go well with casual styles such as denim, not to mention kimono.
The “Ajiro-weaving” is often seen in bamboo crafts, but it is rare in Akebi vine and has a strong presence, so it attracts the attention of the eye. Please choose either size according to your preference.
–Akebi vine work in northern Nagano Prefecture–
Since the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1867), people in Nagano Prefecture have made baskets, toys, and other daily utensils.
There are two types of Akebi vine work produced in northern Nagano Prefecture. The one is “Barked Akebi vine” in brown color, which can be found in other production areas such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata Prefectures.
The other is “Unbarked Akebi vine” in gray color, which is soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then soaked in a river for about a month to ferment, the outer skin is then peeled off. Originally, all Akebi vine crafts in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture were made from “Unbarked Akebi vine”.
Although it takes a lot of time and effort to start weaving the “Unbarked Akebi vine”, however, the color of the basket, which can only be produced in this region, gives the basket a unique attractiveness.
For both types of vines, only high-quality materials are carefully selected, and they continue to produce baskets in a variety of shapes using advanced weaving techniques.
These are handbags woven with Akebi vine. In Nagano Prefecture, some baskets are woven from Akebi vines with the outer skin peeled off — Unbarked vine, but this one is woven from akebi vines with brown outer skin — Barked vine, just as they are in nature.
On this page, we present two sizes: small and medium. The process of making both sizes is almost the same.
The body part is woven in a method called “Ajiro-weaving”.The relatively thick akebi vine is split in half and woven regularly in a row of two strands each.Ajiro-weaving is widely used in bamboo crafts, but it is somewhat rare in Akebi vine crafts, and the woven pattern is not often seen in other prefectures. However, when you see the finished product in front of your eyes, you will have a taste of Akebi vine’s unique Ajiro woven texture.Next is a side view of the rim. As with the entire weaving, the thicker vine is split in half and woven with fewer gaps.The rim is viewed from above. The rim is weaved from both sides to create a strong rim.The connection between the rim and the handle. Two rings are fastened together like a chain.This ring type is also said to last relatively long because it allows freedom of movement and is less stressful on the connection.The handle is neither too thin nor too thick, but a comfortable thickness for the hand.The handles open outward like this at the maximum, and can also be folded down inside. It is easy to put things in and out.The bottom portion is similarly woven in the same way. There are few gaps, and it is strong and reliable.This is a small size.This is a medium size.Medium size.Medium size.
Akebi vines have retained their original texture as they grew wild in the mountains. The natural gradation of colors and soothing hues will never get old no matter how much you look at them. They make us feel calm and relaxed.
Although the weaving is tightly woven, it does not feel heavy because it is entirely woven with half-split Akebi vine. Akebi vine handbags go well with casual styles such as denim, not to mention kimono.
The “Ajiro-weaving” is often seen in bamboo crafts, but it is rare in Akebi vine and has a strong presence, so it attracts the attention of the eye. Please choose either size according to your preference.
–Akebi vine work in northern Nagano Prefecture–
Since the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1867), people in Nagano Prefecture have made baskets, toys, and other daily utensils.
There are two types of Akebi vine work produced in northern Nagano Prefecture. The one is “Barked Akebi vine” in brown color, which can be found in other production areas such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata Prefectures.
The other is “Unbarked Akebi vine” in gray color, which is soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then soaked in a river for about a month to ferment, the outer skin is then peeled off. Originally, all Akebi vine crafts in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture were made from “Unbarked Akebi vine”.
Although it takes a lot of time and effort to start weaving the “Unbarked Akebi vine”, however, the color of the basket, which can only be produced in this region, gives the basket a unique attractiveness.
For both types of vines, only high-quality materials are carefully selected, and they continue to produce baskets in a variety of shapes using advanced weaving techniques.
These are handbags woven with Akebi vine. In Nagano Prefecture, some baskets are woven from Akebi vines with the outer skin peeled off — Unbarked vine, but this one is woven from akebi vines with brown outer skin — Barked vine, just as they are in nature.
On this page, we present two sizes: small and medium. The process of making both sizes is almost the same.
The body part is woven in a method called “Ajiro-weaving”.The relatively thick akebi vine is split in half and woven regularly in a row of two strands each.Ajiro-weaving is widely used in bamboo crafts, but it is somewhat rare in Akebi vine crafts, and the woven pattern is not often seen in other prefectures. However, when you see the finished product in front of your eyes, you will have a taste of Akebi vine’s unique Ajiro woven texture.Next is a side view of the rim. As with the entire weaving, the thicker vine is split in half and woven with fewer gaps.The rim is viewed from above. The rim is weaved from both sides to create a strong rim.The connection between the rim and the handle. Two rings are fastened together like a chain.This ring type is also said to last relatively long because it allows freedom of movement and is less stressful on the connection.The handle is neither too thin nor too thick, but a comfortable thickness for the hand.The handles open outward like this at the maximum, and can also be folded down inside. It is easy to put things in and out.The bottom portion is similarly woven in the same way. There are few gaps, and it is strong and reliable.This is a small size.This is a medium size.Medium size.Medium size.
Akebi vines have retained their original texture as they grew wild in the mountains. The natural gradation of colors and soothing hues will never get old no matter how much you look at them. They make us feel calm and relaxed.
Although the weaving is tightly woven, it does not feel heavy because it is entirely woven with half-split Akebi vine. Akebi vine handbags go well with casual styles such as denim, not to mention kimono.
The “Ajiro-weaving” is often seen in bamboo crafts, but it is rare in Akebi vine and has a strong presence, so it attracts the attention of the eye. Please choose either size according to your preference.
–Akebi vine work in northern Nagano Prefecture–
Since the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1867), people in Nagano Prefecture have made baskets, toys, and other daily utensils.
There are two types of Akebi vine work produced in northern Nagano Prefecture. The one is “Barked Akebi vine” in brown color, which can be found in other production areas such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata Prefectures.
The other is “Unbarked Akebi vine” in gray color, which is soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then soaked in a river for about a month to ferment, the outer skin is then peeled off. Originally, all Akebi vine crafts in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture were made from “Unbarked Akebi vine”.
Although it takes a lot of time and effort to start weaving the “Unbarked Akebi vine”, however, the color of the basket, which can only be produced in this region, gives the basket a unique attractiveness.
For both types of vines, only high-quality materials are carefully selected, and they continue to produce baskets in a variety of shapes using advanced weaving techniques.
