Traditionally, baskets and sieves that have long been made in each region are crafted using plants that grow naturally nearby. In Japan, materials such as bamboo, akebi vine, rush, and rice straw have been used, depending on what can be gathered in each area.
In Europe, the main materials are willow and rattan.
Both are materials rarely seen in Japanese basketry.
In Europe, the willow used is the clump-forming type that grows upright from the ground, much like rice plants.
Clump growth means that several stems rise together from the base of a single root.
This photo shows willow cultivated in Lithuania for basket making.
The willow used for these baskets is not cultivated, but gathered wild in Lithuania.
They are made by Ira and Ana, who also craft baskets from pine roots, and who harvest the willow themselves.
Harvesting is in autumn, cutting branches before the buds sprout, and weaving is done in winter, the humid season.
In Japan, winter tends to be dry, but in Lithuania the opposite is true—summers are dry and winters are humid.
For baskets like these, made with willow left with bark, summer work is not possible because the bark dries and cracks. Winter with its humidity is more suitable.
Here we introduce round baskets made with bark-on willow, in “S” and “L” sizes.
The frame of the basket is first made, and willow branches are woven onto it.As willow branches grow, fluffy, cotton-like catkins sprout from their buds. Small buds can also be seen in the photos. These may feel slightly catching to the hand, so please be aware.At times, even after weaving, the fluffy catkins may continue to sprout from the buds, showing the surprising vitality of the willow even after harvest.Here is the rim seen from above.The willow has a glossy, lustrous sheen with a deep greenish hue.The decorative weave at the joint of handle and rim is striking. It is a common detail in European basketry and serves as an accent for the whole basket.Cherry wood (likely Prunus padus) is used for the handles and the basket frame.Since the branches are woven without splitting, the bark can be seen on the inside of the basket as well.At the inside bottom of the basket, the ends of strips may protrude slightly. Please take care to avoid snagging.At the handle joints, wires used to secure the basket may also be visible. Please note that this is part of the normal construction.Now, let us look at the sizes. This is the S size.Its shape and size make you want to hold it in both arms.This is the L size.It is large enough to hold a plentiful harvest of mushrooms.
Up close, you can catch the rich fragrance of willow.
As time passes, the basket’s color shifts from a greenish hue to a calm light brown tone.
Please enjoy this change as well.
For outings and shopping. Also useful as a container for small items, or for displaying flowers and greenery.
Please choose the size that best suits you.
__Baskets in Lithuania__
Lithuania is the southernmost of the three Baltic states, which lie in northeastern Europe along the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It borders Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east, Poland to the south, and the Russian territory to the west. In its history, there were times when it was united with Poland or Russia, and there are deep cultural ties.
Lithuania has many lakes, including Lake Vištytis, as well as extensive wetlands and woodlands. The terrain is generally flat and level, with no mountains of significant elevation.
Perhaps because of this, even in cities, woodlands and nature are close at hand and part of daily life. In autumn, people in Lithuania enjoy mushroom hunting and berry gathering. They also pick apples and herbs from their gardens, which form part of their everyday diet.
Although baskets made from natural materials are becoming fewer, in Lithuania baskets have traditionally been used not for shopping or storage, but for harvesting. Even today they remain closely connected with mushroom hunting, berry picking, and gathering herbs.
Mushrooms picked in the forest are still breathing, so if placed in plastic bags they spoil. But in a breathable basket, the mushrooms can continue to breathe, making it a good match. For herbs as well, such as wild linden or lime blossoms gathered from under the trees, baskets are better than plastic or vinyl because they prevent moisture from building up.
In Lithuania, there is the idea that “the gifts of the forest belong to everyone,” and this is guaranteed by law, allowing people to go freely into the forest in daily life.
Baskets that receive the blessings of the forest—practical and symbolic at the same time— make us wish that Lithuania’s basket culture will continue far into the future.
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.
Traditionally, baskets and sieves that have long been made in each region are crafted using plants that grow naturally nearby. In Japan, materials such as bamboo, akebi vine, rush, and rice straw have been used, depending on what can be gathered in each area.
In Europe, the main materials are willow and rattan.
Both are materials rarely seen in Japanese basketry.
In Europe, the willow used is the clump-forming type that grows upright from the ground, much like rice plants.
Clump growth means that several stems rise together from the base of a single root.
This photo shows willow cultivated in Lithuania for basket making.
The willow used for these baskets is not cultivated, but gathered wild in Lithuania.
They are made by Ira and Ana, who also craft baskets from pine roots, and who harvest the willow themselves.
Harvesting is in autumn, cutting branches before the buds sprout, and weaving is done in winter, the humid season.
In Japan, winter tends to be dry, but in Lithuania the opposite is true—summers are dry and winters are humid.
For baskets like these, made with willow left with bark, summer work is not possible because the bark dries and cracks. Winter with its humidity is more suitable.
Here we introduce round baskets made with bark-on willow, in “S” and “L” sizes.
The frame of the basket is first made, and willow branches are woven onto it.As willow branches grow, fluffy, cotton-like catkins sprout from their buds. Small buds can also be seen in the photos. These may feel slightly catching to the hand, so please be aware.At times, even after weaving, the fluffy catkins may continue to sprout from the buds, showing the surprising vitality of the willow even after harvest.Here is the rim seen from above.The willow has a glossy, lustrous sheen with a deep greenish hue.The decorative weave at the joint of handle and rim is striking. It is a common detail in European basketry and serves as an accent for the whole basket.Cherry wood (likely Prunus padus) is used for the handles and the basket frame.Since the branches are woven without splitting, the bark can be seen on the inside of the basket as well.At the inside bottom of the basket, the ends of strips may protrude slightly. Please take care to avoid snagging.At the handle joints, wires used to secure the basket may also be visible. Please note that this is part of the normal construction.Now, let us look at the sizes. This is the S size.Its shape and size make you want to hold it in both arms.This is the L size.It is large enough to hold a plentiful harvest of mushrooms.
Up close, you can catch the rich fragrance of willow.
As time passes, the basket’s color shifts from a greenish hue to a calm light brown tone.
Please enjoy this change as well.
For outings and shopping. Also useful as a container for small items, or for displaying flowers and greenery.
Please choose the size that best suits you.
__Baskets in Lithuania__
Lithuania is the southernmost of the three Baltic states, which lie in northeastern Europe along the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It borders Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east, Poland to the south, and the Russian territory to the west. In its history, there were times when it was united with Poland or Russia, and there are deep cultural ties.
Lithuania has many lakes, including Lake Vištytis, as well as extensive wetlands and woodlands. The terrain is generally flat and level, with no mountains of significant elevation.
Perhaps because of this, even in cities, woodlands and nature are close at hand and part of daily life. In autumn, people in Lithuania enjoy mushroom hunting and berry gathering. They also pick apples and herbs from their gardens, which form part of their everyday diet.
Although baskets made from natural materials are becoming fewer, in Lithuania baskets have traditionally been used not for shopping or storage, but for harvesting. Even today they remain closely connected with mushroom hunting, berry picking, and gathering herbs.
Mushrooms picked in the forest are still breathing, so if placed in plastic bags they spoil. But in a breathable basket, the mushrooms can continue to breathe, making it a good match. For herbs as well, such as wild linden or lime blossoms gathered from under the trees, baskets are better than plastic or vinyl because they prevent moisture from building up.
In Lithuania, there is the idea that “the gifts of the forest belong to everyone,” and this is guaranteed by law, allowing people to go freely into the forest in daily life.
Baskets that receive the blessings of the forest—practical and symbolic at the same time— make us wish that Lithuania’s basket culture will continue far into the future.
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.
Traditionally, baskets and sieves that have long been made in each region are crafted using plants that grow naturally nearby. In Japan, materials such as bamboo, akebi vine, rush, and rice straw have been used, depending on what can be gathered in each area.
In Europe, the main materials are willow and rattan.
Both are materials rarely seen in Japanese basketry.
In Europe, the willow used is the clump-forming type that grows upright from the ground, much like rice plants.
Clump growth means that several stems rise together from the base of a single root.
This photo shows willow cultivated in Lithuania for basket making.
The willow used for these baskets is not cultivated, but gathered wild in Lithuania.
They are made by Ira and Ana, who also craft baskets from pine roots, and who harvest the willow themselves.
Harvesting is in autumn, cutting branches before the buds sprout, and weaving is done in winter, the humid season.
In Japan, winter tends to be dry, but in Lithuania the opposite is true—summers are dry and winters are humid.
For baskets like these, made with willow left with bark, summer work is not possible because the bark dries and cracks. Winter with its humidity is more suitable.
Here we introduce round baskets made with bark-on willow, in “S” and “L” sizes.
The frame of the basket is first made, and willow branches are woven onto it.As willow branches grow, fluffy, cotton-like catkins sprout from their buds. Small buds can also be seen in the photos. These may feel slightly catching to the hand, so please be aware.At times, even after weaving, the fluffy catkins may continue to sprout from the buds, showing the surprising vitality of the willow even after harvest.Here is the rim seen from above.The willow has a glossy, lustrous sheen with a deep greenish hue.The decorative weave at the joint of handle and rim is striking. It is a common detail in European basketry and serves as an accent for the whole basket.Cherry wood (likely Prunus padus) is used for the handles and the basket frame.Since the branches are woven without splitting, the bark can be seen on the inside of the basket as well.At the inside bottom of the basket, the ends of strips may protrude slightly. Please take care to avoid snagging.At the handle joints, wires used to secure the basket may also be visible. Please note that this is part of the normal construction.Now, let us look at the sizes. This is the S size.Its shape and size make you want to hold it in both arms.This is the L size.It is large enough to hold a plentiful harvest of mushrooms.
Up close, you can catch the rich fragrance of willow.
As time passes, the basket’s color shifts from a greenish hue to a calm light brown tone.
Please enjoy this change as well.
For outings and shopping. Also useful as a container for small items, or for displaying flowers and greenery.
Please choose the size that best suits you.
__Baskets in Lithuania__
Lithuania is the southernmost of the three Baltic states, which lie in northeastern Europe along the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. It borders Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east, Poland to the south, and the Russian territory to the west. In its history, there were times when it was united with Poland or Russia, and there are deep cultural ties.
Lithuania has many lakes, including Lake Vištytis, as well as extensive wetlands and woodlands. The terrain is generally flat and level, with no mountains of significant elevation.
Perhaps because of this, even in cities, woodlands and nature are close at hand and part of daily life. In autumn, people in Lithuania enjoy mushroom hunting and berry gathering. They also pick apples and herbs from their gardens, which form part of their everyday diet.
Although baskets made from natural materials are becoming fewer, in Lithuania baskets have traditionally been used not for shopping or storage, but for harvesting. Even today they remain closely connected with mushroom hunting, berry picking, and gathering herbs.
Mushrooms picked in the forest are still breathing, so if placed in plastic bags they spoil. But in a breathable basket, the mushrooms can continue to breathe, making it a good match. For herbs as well, such as wild linden or lime blossoms gathered from under the trees, baskets are better than plastic or vinyl because they prevent moisture from building up.
In Lithuania, there is the idea that “the gifts of the forest belong to everyone,” and this is guaranteed by law, allowing people to go freely into the forest in daily life.
Baskets that receive the blessings of the forest—practical and symbolic at the same time— make us wish that Lithuania’s basket culture will continue far into the future.
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.
