According to records, bamboo products from Sado Island in Niigata have been shipped outside the island for more than 200 years. Because high-quality bamboo suitable for craftwork grows there, bamboo making has long been active on the island.
It is said that many bamboo products were also loaded on the Kitamae-bune, the merchant ships that sailed along the Sea of Japan route connecting Osaka and Hokkaido. Since thick bamboo does not grow in Hokkaido, bamboo sieves and baskets from Sado, where the Kitamae-bune called, were widely distributed there.
The bamboo products made on Sado Island are characterized by their plain, simple, and durable style. Among them, this flat rectangular basket is called a “Kaku Bon-zaru.”
This kaku bon-zaru uses Madake and Hachiku bamboo harvested on Sado.When turned over, you can see the weave of the green bamboo’s outer skin.The weave is simple, known as zarume-ami or gozame-ami.On Sado, the old division-of-labor system is still in place, and there are artisans who quietly focus only on this weaving work.Neat weaving continues evenly throughout.Often, the rim wrapping is done by another person. The rim is wrapped with rattan around a core of steel wire. The wire is treated against rust, so it does not rust easily.As shown here, the steel wire may sometimes be slightly visible through gaps near the corners.Depending on the size, about four to five strips of rattan are wound, shifting their positions to fill the gaps.Also, Sado baskets sometimes have marks that look like black scorch marks. These come from using fire (such as a burner) during the finishing process to smooth out splinters. Please note that these are not defects.Also, at the intersections where vertical and horizontal strips cross, you may see small cracks, but these do not affect use.The size variations of the kaku bon-zaru range in nine steps, from a long side of about 22 cm (8.66″) up to about 45 cm (17.72″), in increments of about 1.18″.On this page, we introduce five of the nine sizes made in the region, focusing on the smaller ones that are easy to use at home.First is the smallest 22 cm (8.66″) size. This size can hold about 3.53 oz of noodles, or about two store-bought rice balls.Next is the 24.5 cm (9.65″) size. This size can hold about 3.53–7.05 oz of noodles, or 4–6 rice balls. It is just right as a one-person noodle plate. For the 22 cm (8.66″) and 24.5 cm (9.65″) sizes, many people use one per person as an individual plate.This is the 27 cm (10.63″) size. It can hold about 7.05–10.58 oz of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 1–2 people. It is also just right for 6–8 rice balls.This is the 30 cm (11.81″) size. It can hold about 10.58–14.11 oz of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 2–3 people. It can also hold about 8–12 rice balls.Finally, this is the 33.5 cm (13.19″) size. Out of the nine total sizes, this is right in the middle. It can hold about 14.11 oz–1.10 lb of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 3–4 people. Sizes from 27 cm (10.63″) to 33.5 cm (13.19″) are often used as serving plates for several people. It is also large enough to hold 10–15 rice balls.Photo: 30 cm (11.81″) size, used for plum work (about 2.20 lb of green plums)
Though simple, it is sturdily made, and can be called the standard among flat baskets. This rectangular kaku bon-zaru is also often used like a plate.
It is recommended as a plate for warm toast as well. Unlike ceramics, steam escapes through the weave, preventing the bottom from getting soggy.
Photo: 24.5 cm (9.65″) size, with two rice balls, pickles, and side dishes
Some people also choose it for its unusual rectangular shape and for how easy it is to store.
It goes well with all kinds of noodles—soba, somen, udon, or Chinese noodles. It also suits bread and sweets, and its simple construction lets the food stand out.
Photo: 30 cm (11.81″) size, with 200 g (7.05 oz) of somen
Because it is nearly flat with little depth, it is also often used as a drying basket. Fishmongers sometimes choose this shape for drying fish.
The rectangular shape suits fish better than round ones. It seems especially useful for preparing smaller horse mackerel or slices of mackerel.
(After handling raw fish or meat, we recommend disinfecting with boiling water after use.)
It is also good to lay kitchen paper or Japanese paper and serve fried foods like karaage or tempura. If oil gets on it, after use apply a little mild detergent, scrub with a brush, rinse well with water, and dry thoroughly.
Photo: 27 cm (10.63″) size, with 3.53 oz of soba
The classic rectangular kaku bon-zaru— please check the sizes carefully and choose the one that suits you best.
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.
According to records, bamboo products from Sado Island in Niigata have been shipped outside the island for more than 200 years. Because high-quality bamboo suitable for craftwork grows there, bamboo making has long been active on the island.
It is said that many bamboo products were also loaded on the Kitamae-bune, the merchant ships that sailed along the Sea of Japan route connecting Osaka and Hokkaido. Since thick bamboo does not grow in Hokkaido, bamboo sieves and baskets from Sado, where the Kitamae-bune called, were widely distributed there.
The bamboo products made on Sado Island are characterized by their plain, simple, and durable style. Among them, this flat rectangular basket is called a “Kaku Bon-zaru.”
This kaku bon-zaru uses Madake and Hachiku bamboo harvested on Sado.When turned over, you can see the weave of the green bamboo’s outer skin.The weave is simple, known as zarume-ami or gozame-ami.On Sado, the old division-of-labor system is still in place, and there are artisans who quietly focus only on this weaving work.Neat weaving continues evenly throughout.Often, the rim wrapping is done by another person. The rim is wrapped with rattan around a core of steel wire. The wire is treated against rust, so it does not rust easily.As shown here, the steel wire may sometimes be slightly visible through gaps near the corners.Depending on the size, about four to five strips of rattan are wound, shifting their positions to fill the gaps.Also, Sado baskets sometimes have marks that look like black scorch marks. These come from using fire (such as a burner) during the finishing process to smooth out splinters. Please note that these are not defects.Also, at the intersections where vertical and horizontal strips cross, you may see small cracks, but these do not affect use.The size variations of the kaku bon-zaru range in nine steps, from a long side of about 22 cm (8.66″) up to about 45 cm (17.72″), in increments of about 1.18″.On this page, we introduce five of the nine sizes made in the region, focusing on the smaller ones that are easy to use at home.First is the smallest 22 cm (8.66″) size. This size can hold about 3.53 oz of noodles, or about two store-bought rice balls.Next is the 24.5 cm (9.65″) size. This size can hold about 3.53–7.05 oz of noodles, or 4–6 rice balls. It is just right as a one-person noodle plate. For the 22 cm (8.66″) and 24.5 cm (9.65″) sizes, many people use one per person as an individual plate.This is the 27 cm (10.63″) size. It can hold about 7.05–10.58 oz of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 1–2 people. It is also just right for 6–8 rice balls.This is the 30 cm (11.81″) size. It can hold about 10.58–14.11 oz of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 2–3 people. It can also hold about 8–12 rice balls.Finally, this is the 33.5 cm (13.19″) size. Out of the nine total sizes, this is right in the middle. It can hold about 14.11 oz–1.10 lb of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 3–4 people. Sizes from 27 cm (10.63″) to 33.5 cm (13.19″) are often used as serving plates for several people. It is also large enough to hold 10–15 rice balls.Photo: 30 cm (11.81″) size, used for plum work (about 2.20 lb of green plums)
Though simple, it is sturdily made, and can be called the standard among flat baskets. This rectangular kaku bon-zaru is also often used like a plate.
It is recommended as a plate for warm toast as well. Unlike ceramics, steam escapes through the weave, preventing the bottom from getting soggy.
Photo: 24.5 cm (9.65″) size, with two rice balls, pickles, and side dishes
Some people also choose it for its unusual rectangular shape and for how easy it is to store.
It goes well with all kinds of noodles—soba, somen, udon, or Chinese noodles. It also suits bread and sweets, and its simple construction lets the food stand out.
Photo: 30 cm (11.81″) size, with 200 g (7.05 oz) of somen
Because it is nearly flat with little depth, it is also often used as a drying basket. Fishmongers sometimes choose this shape for drying fish.
The rectangular shape suits fish better than round ones. It seems especially useful for preparing smaller horse mackerel or slices of mackerel.
(After handling raw fish or meat, we recommend disinfecting with boiling water after use.)
It is also good to lay kitchen paper or Japanese paper and serve fried foods like karaage or tempura. If oil gets on it, after use apply a little mild detergent, scrub with a brush, rinse well with water, and dry thoroughly.
Photo: 27 cm (10.63″) size, with 3.53 oz of soba
The classic rectangular kaku bon-zaru— please check the sizes carefully and choose the one that suits you best.
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.
According to records, bamboo products from Sado Island in Niigata have been shipped outside the island for more than 200 years. Because high-quality bamboo suitable for craftwork grows there, bamboo making has long been active on the island.
It is said that many bamboo products were also loaded on the Kitamae-bune, the merchant ships that sailed along the Sea of Japan route connecting Osaka and Hokkaido. Since thick bamboo does not grow in Hokkaido, bamboo sieves and baskets from Sado, where the Kitamae-bune called, were widely distributed there.
The bamboo products made on Sado Island are characterized by their plain, simple, and durable style. Among them, this flat rectangular basket is called a “Kaku Bon-zaru.”
This kaku bon-zaru uses Madake and Hachiku bamboo harvested on Sado.When turned over, you can see the weave of the green bamboo’s outer skin.The weave is simple, known as zarume-ami or gozame-ami.On Sado, the old division-of-labor system is still in place, and there are artisans who quietly focus only on this weaving work.Neat weaving continues evenly throughout.Often, the rim wrapping is done by another person. The rim is wrapped with rattan around a core of steel wire. The wire is treated against rust, so it does not rust easily.As shown here, the steel wire may sometimes be slightly visible through gaps near the corners.Depending on the size, about four to five strips of rattan are wound, shifting their positions to fill the gaps.Also, Sado baskets sometimes have marks that look like black scorch marks. These come from using fire (such as a burner) during the finishing process to smooth out splinters. Please note that these are not defects.Also, at the intersections where vertical and horizontal strips cross, you may see small cracks, but these do not affect use.The size variations of the kaku bon-zaru range in nine steps, from a long side of about 22 cm (8.66″) up to about 45 cm (17.72″), in increments of about 1.18″.On this page, we introduce five of the nine sizes made in the region, focusing on the smaller ones that are easy to use at home.First is the smallest 22 cm (8.66″) size. This size can hold about 3.53 oz of noodles, or about two store-bought rice balls.Next is the 24.5 cm (9.65″) size. This size can hold about 3.53–7.05 oz of noodles, or 4–6 rice balls. It is just right as a one-person noodle plate. For the 22 cm (8.66″) and 24.5 cm (9.65″) sizes, many people use one per person as an individual plate.This is the 27 cm (10.63″) size. It can hold about 7.05–10.58 oz of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 1–2 people. It is also just right for 6–8 rice balls.This is the 30 cm (11.81″) size. It can hold about 10.58–14.11 oz of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 2–3 people. It can also hold about 8–12 rice balls.Finally, this is the 33.5 cm (13.19″) size. Out of the nine total sizes, this is right in the middle. It can hold about 14.11 oz–1.10 lb of noodles, suitable as a serving plate for 3–4 people. Sizes from 27 cm (10.63″) to 33.5 cm (13.19″) are often used as serving plates for several people. It is also large enough to hold 10–15 rice balls.Photo: 30 cm (11.81″) size, used for plum work (about 2.20 lb of green plums)
Though simple, it is sturdily made, and can be called the standard among flat baskets. This rectangular kaku bon-zaru is also often used like a plate.
It is recommended as a plate for warm toast as well. Unlike ceramics, steam escapes through the weave, preventing the bottom from getting soggy.
Photo: 24.5 cm (9.65″) size, with two rice balls, pickles, and side dishes
Some people also choose it for its unusual rectangular shape and for how easy it is to store.
It goes well with all kinds of noodles—soba, somen, udon, or Chinese noodles. It also suits bread and sweets, and its simple construction lets the food stand out.
Photo: 30 cm (11.81″) size, with 200 g (7.05 oz) of somen
Because it is nearly flat with little depth, it is also often used as a drying basket. Fishmongers sometimes choose this shape for drying fish.
The rectangular shape suits fish better than round ones. It seems especially useful for preparing smaller horse mackerel or slices of mackerel.
(After handling raw fish or meat, we recommend disinfecting with boiling water after use.)
It is also good to lay kitchen paper or Japanese paper and serve fried foods like karaage or tempura. If oil gets on it, after use apply a little mild detergent, scrub with a brush, rinse well with water, and dry thoroughly.
Photo: 27 cm (10.63″) size, with 3.53 oz of soba
The classic rectangular kaku bon-zaru— please check the sizes carefully and choose the one that suits you best.
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.
