This is a handwoven tote basket made from Akebi vine.
The bark that naturally covers the surface of the vine is left intact, giving the basket a warm and rustic character. Its charm lies in the unrefined, organic beauty of the material just as it is found in nature.
In Nagano, there are also baskets made from gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, in which the bark is removed before weaving.
On this page, we introduce our premium Akebi vine tote basket in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.
This basket has a generous, rounded form. We also offer a separate product called the “Sukashi Weave Tote Basket,” but this one features a finer and more intricate weave, with extra care given to the details of the rim and handle.
The premium series uses carefully selected Akebi vines of exceptional quality, and the result is a finish that is visibly refined at a glance.
All three sizes share the same construction, characterized by the soft curves unique to the premium line, with a gently expanding silhouette that flares downward.It is woven using the Sukashi Weave, a traditional open-weave technique often used in Akebi crafts. In regions like Aomori, this technique is also known as Kodashi-ami. The open weave is so airy that you can see right through the basket.This pattern is only possible with Akebi vine, known for its flexibility and resilience. The vines curve and interlace with strength and grace, giving the basket a sense of quiet power.The Akebi vine used here retains its natural texture, just as it was when gathered from the wild.Here is the rim of the basket. It is firmly and cleanly constructed.It is wrapped with a thicker Akebi vine that has been split in half. The finish is smooth, with minimal gaps or bumps.This is a top view of the rim. The way the vine is wrapped inward from both sides gives it a decorative appearance.There is also stitching beneath the rim. Please note: Depending on the materials or the artisan, the stitching may differ from the photo—either simplified or oriented differently. We do not accept returns due to these differences. Thank you for your understanding.Here is the section where the handle connects to the rim—on the premium model, this part is finished with a braided accent. The ring-style joint allows for a wide range of motion, making it easy to open and fold the handle.It’s curious how such a subtle detail can shift the overall impression of the basket.The handle is slim and easy to hold, made by wrapping a thin Akebi vine around a thick Akebi core. It is tightly and carefully finished.As shown, the handle opens wide. It can also fold inward neatly.The base of the basket is made with a tightly woven Nami-ami pattern, not the openwork style. This adds extra strength and prevents items from slipping through gaps.Now, let us introduce the three available sizes.
This is the Small size.It easily holds everyday essentials like your wallet, keys, pouch, and a bottle—just right for a day out.This is the Medium size.In addition to your valuables, there’s room for a light wrap, a book, or a few items you pick up while out and about.This is the Large size.Its generous capacity makes it suitable for a full day out or even an overnight trip.Photo: Medium size
Pack it with wine, cups, and bread, and take it along for a picnic— whether at a park, a vacation cabin, your garden, or a sunny terrace.
Large sizeSmall size
Even when not in use outdoors, it makes a lovely storage basket at home. Use it to keep your knitting supplies, as a bread basket, or simply enjoy it as part of your daily space.
Medium size
There’s something truly special about this softly rounded form. While structured baskets made with molds have their own charm, this one offers a gentle, enveloping feel that makes it exceptional.
Small size
Its soft gradation of earthy tones and calm coloring give the basket a quiet sense of character. You could look at it endlessly and still find peace and warmth in its presence.
Medium size
With its impressively solid construction, this basket offers lasting stability—one that may stay by your side for decades to come.
Please choose the size that suits you best.
Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano
In Nagano Prefecture, traditional handcrafts such as baskets and toys have been made since the early Edo period, especially as a winter livelihood in this snowy region.
Among them, the Akebi vine craft from northern Nagano is known for two distinct types of materials. One is the brown Akebi vine with its outer bark intact, commonly seen in other regions such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata. The other is the gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, which is first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in a river for around a month before the bark is peeled away. Originally, all Akebi basketry in northern Nagano was made using this Muki Akebi.
Although preparing Muki Akebi takes much time and effort before weaving can even begin, baskets made with this material have a unique and subtle beauty found only in this region.
In both cases, only high-quality vines are carefully selected, and a wide variety of basket forms are created with exceptional weaving techniques passed down over generations.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
This is a handwoven tote basket made from Akebi vine.
The bark that naturally covers the surface of the vine is left intact, giving the basket a warm and rustic character. Its charm lies in the unrefined, organic beauty of the material just as it is found in nature.
In Nagano, there are also baskets made from gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, in which the bark is removed before weaving.
On this page, we introduce our premium Akebi vine tote basket in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.
This basket has a generous, rounded form. We also offer a separate product called the “Sukashi Weave Tote Basket,” but this one features a finer and more intricate weave, with extra care given to the details of the rim and handle.
The premium series uses carefully selected Akebi vines of exceptional quality, and the result is a finish that is visibly refined at a glance.
All three sizes share the same construction, characterized by the soft curves unique to the premium line, with a gently expanding silhouette that flares downward.It is woven using the Sukashi Weave, a traditional open-weave technique often used in Akebi crafts. In regions like Aomori, this technique is also known as Kodashi-ami. The open weave is so airy that you can see right through the basket.This pattern is only possible with Akebi vine, known for its flexibility and resilience. The vines curve and interlace with strength and grace, giving the basket a sense of quiet power.The Akebi vine used here retains its natural texture, just as it was when gathered from the wild.Here is the rim of the basket. It is firmly and cleanly constructed.It is wrapped with a thicker Akebi vine that has been split in half. The finish is smooth, with minimal gaps or bumps.This is a top view of the rim. The way the vine is wrapped inward from both sides gives it a decorative appearance.There is also stitching beneath the rim. Please note: Depending on the materials or the artisan, the stitching may differ from the photo—either simplified or oriented differently. We do not accept returns due to these differences. Thank you for your understanding.Here is the section where the handle connects to the rim—on the premium model, this part is finished with a braided accent. The ring-style joint allows for a wide range of motion, making it easy to open and fold the handle.It’s curious how such a subtle detail can shift the overall impression of the basket.The handle is slim and easy to hold, made by wrapping a thin Akebi vine around a thick Akebi core. It is tightly and carefully finished.As shown, the handle opens wide. It can also fold inward neatly.The base of the basket is made with a tightly woven Nami-ami pattern, not the openwork style. This adds extra strength and prevents items from slipping through gaps.Now, let us introduce the three available sizes.
This is the Small size.It easily holds everyday essentials like your wallet, keys, pouch, and a bottle—just right for a day out.This is the Medium size.In addition to your valuables, there’s room for a light wrap, a book, or a few items you pick up while out and about.This is the Large size.Its generous capacity makes it suitable for a full day out or even an overnight trip.Photo: Medium size
Pack it with wine, cups, and bread, and take it along for a picnic— whether at a park, a vacation cabin, your garden, or a sunny terrace.
Large sizeSmall size
Even when not in use outdoors, it makes a lovely storage basket at home. Use it to keep your knitting supplies, as a bread basket, or simply enjoy it as part of your daily space.
Medium size
There’s something truly special about this softly rounded form. While structured baskets made with molds have their own charm, this one offers a gentle, enveloping feel that makes it exceptional.
Small size
Its soft gradation of earthy tones and calm coloring give the basket a quiet sense of character. You could look at it endlessly and still find peace and warmth in its presence.
Medium size
With its impressively solid construction, this basket offers lasting stability—one that may stay by your side for decades to come.
Please choose the size that suits you best.
Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano
In Nagano Prefecture, traditional handcrafts such as baskets and toys have been made since the early Edo period, especially as a winter livelihood in this snowy region.
Among them, the Akebi vine craft from northern Nagano is known for two distinct types of materials. One is the brown Akebi vine with its outer bark intact, commonly seen in other regions such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata. The other is the gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, which is first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in a river for around a month before the bark is peeled away. Originally, all Akebi basketry in northern Nagano was made using this Muki Akebi.
Although preparing Muki Akebi takes much time and effort before weaving can even begin, baskets made with this material have a unique and subtle beauty found only in this region.
In both cases, only high-quality vines are carefully selected, and a wide variety of basket forms are created with exceptional weaving techniques passed down over generations.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
This is a handwoven tote basket made from Akebi vine.
The bark that naturally covers the surface of the vine is left intact, giving the basket a warm and rustic character. Its charm lies in the unrefined, organic beauty of the material just as it is found in nature.
In Nagano, there are also baskets made from gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, in which the bark is removed before weaving.
On this page, we introduce our premium Akebi vine tote basket in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.
This basket has a generous, rounded form. We also offer a separate product called the “Sukashi Weave Tote Basket,” but this one features a finer and more intricate weave, with extra care given to the details of the rim and handle.
The premium series uses carefully selected Akebi vines of exceptional quality, and the result is a finish that is visibly refined at a glance.
All three sizes share the same construction, characterized by the soft curves unique to the premium line, with a gently expanding silhouette that flares downward.It is woven using the Sukashi Weave, a traditional open-weave technique often used in Akebi crafts. In regions like Aomori, this technique is also known as Kodashi-ami. The open weave is so airy that you can see right through the basket.This pattern is only possible with Akebi vine, known for its flexibility and resilience. The vines curve and interlace with strength and grace, giving the basket a sense of quiet power.The Akebi vine used here retains its natural texture, just as it was when gathered from the wild.Here is the rim of the basket. It is firmly and cleanly constructed.It is wrapped with a thicker Akebi vine that has been split in half. The finish is smooth, with minimal gaps or bumps.This is a top view of the rim. The way the vine is wrapped inward from both sides gives it a decorative appearance.There is also stitching beneath the rim. Please note: Depending on the materials or the artisan, the stitching may differ from the photo—either simplified or oriented differently. We do not accept returns due to these differences. Thank you for your understanding.Here is the section where the handle connects to the rim—on the premium model, this part is finished with a braided accent. The ring-style joint allows for a wide range of motion, making it easy to open and fold the handle.It’s curious how such a subtle detail can shift the overall impression of the basket.The handle is slim and easy to hold, made by wrapping a thin Akebi vine around a thick Akebi core. It is tightly and carefully finished.As shown, the handle opens wide. It can also fold inward neatly.The base of the basket is made with a tightly woven Nami-ami pattern, not the openwork style. This adds extra strength and prevents items from slipping through gaps.Now, let us introduce the three available sizes.
This is the Small size.It easily holds everyday essentials like your wallet, keys, pouch, and a bottle—just right for a day out.This is the Medium size.In addition to your valuables, there’s room for a light wrap, a book, or a few items you pick up while out and about.This is the Large size.Its generous capacity makes it suitable for a full day out or even an overnight trip.Photo: Medium size
Pack it with wine, cups, and bread, and take it along for a picnic— whether at a park, a vacation cabin, your garden, or a sunny terrace.
Large sizeSmall size
Even when not in use outdoors, it makes a lovely storage basket at home. Use it to keep your knitting supplies, as a bread basket, or simply enjoy it as part of your daily space.
Medium size
There’s something truly special about this softly rounded form. While structured baskets made with molds have their own charm, this one offers a gentle, enveloping feel that makes it exceptional.
Small size
Its soft gradation of earthy tones and calm coloring give the basket a quiet sense of character. You could look at it endlessly and still find peace and warmth in its presence.
Medium size
With its impressively solid construction, this basket offers lasting stability—one that may stay by your side for decades to come.
Please choose the size that suits you best.
Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano
In Nagano Prefecture, traditional handcrafts such as baskets and toys have been made since the early Edo period, especially as a winter livelihood in this snowy region.
Among them, the Akebi vine craft from northern Nagano is known for two distinct types of materials. One is the brown Akebi vine with its outer bark intact, commonly seen in other regions such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata. The other is the gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, which is first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in a river for around a month before the bark is peeled away. Originally, all Akebi basketry in northern Nagano was made using this Muki Akebi.
Although preparing Muki Akebi takes much time and effort before weaving can even begin, baskets made with this material have a unique and subtle beauty found only in this region.
In both cases, only high-quality vines are carefully selected, and a wide variety of basket forms are created with exceptional weaving techniques passed down over generations.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
