Cut a large amount of vegetables and drain them. Wash a large amount of rice and drain it. Wash a large amount of beans and drain them. Press down a large amount of boiled adzuki beans to strain them.
This large round colander, which was used every day in such heavy-duty professional ways, came to be called “Kamenoko-zaru” because when turned upside down, it looks just like a turtle’s shell.
Until just a generation ago, it was widely used in school lunch preparation and other professional kitchens, serving as an unsung hero supporting the stomachs of Japanese children.
Even today, it continues as a long-selling product used by professionals such as confectioners, rice cake makers, and rice cracker makers.
The material, Hachiku bamboo, has shorter nodes than Madake, splits easily, and has resilience, making it suitable for producing long, thin strips. In regions where baskets are made by folding back the strips at the edges during weaving, Hachiku is often chosen.This same Hachiku is also used in making souke baskets in Toyama and bon-zaru in Sado. The Kamenoko-zaru is finished with a regular vertical-and-horizontal weave, also called zarume-ami.When turned over, the outer skin of Hachiku—slightly whiter in tone compared to Madake—can be seen arranged in a regular pattern.The horizontal strips at the base, where splinters are more likely to occur on the bamboo’s inner side, have been carefully beveled by seasoned handwork.Holding the hatchet steady with hands and feet, each strip is drawn carefully, ensuring no mistakes occur.The strips are thickest and most solid near the base, becoming progressively thinner and finer toward the rim.For the rim, Madake bamboo is used.Wide, thick strips firmly sandwich the weave, secured and finished with wire.
There are two sizes.
The large size has a diameter of about 21.26″. This size is often ordered as a colander for pressing and straining boiled adzuki beans.The extra-large size has a diameter of about 23.62″. This size is often ordered as a rice colander.
When a freshly made basket arrives, the green fragrance of bamboo and the powerful presence of the basket are truly impressive. The baskets made by this craftsman, who has specialized in making large baskets and has continued producing them tirelessly, truly speak for themselves. As long as it is possible to deliver them, we sincerely wish to continue bringing these baskets to professionals.
Devoted to Bamboo Colanders — Bringing Traditional Strength into Everyday Life
Once common in restaurant kitchens and school cafeterias, bamboo colanders were essential for draining vegetables, washing noodles, and preparing rice. Their lightness and quick drainage supported busy kitchens—but today, most have been replaced by plastic or metal.
Amid this change, there remains a craftsman in Aichi who continues to make the same sturdy, professional-grade colanders as in the past. He has devoted his entire life to making only bamboo colanders — a rare dedication in Japan today. He does not create baskets or decorative crafts, but focuses entirely on making tools that serve practical purpose in everyday life.
Working without machines, he shapes each strip of bamboo by hand and knife, weaving every piece with precision and strength. The result is a colander that is robust yet graceful — durable, quick-draining, and increasingly familiar to the hand with each use. A tool that naturally becomes part of daily living.
This craftsman, whom we have known since his predecessor’s time, is now of advanced age. Yet the way his hands, feet, and knife move together in rhythm is the very image of mastery — a lifelong harmony between person and material.
Through his steadfast craftsmanship — honest, functional, and built to last — you can feel a simple wish: that these colanders continue to serve people’s kitchens for many years to come, as quiet companions to everyday life.
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.
Cut a large amount of vegetables and drain them. Wash a large amount of rice and drain it. Wash a large amount of beans and drain them. Press down a large amount of boiled adzuki beans to strain them.
This large round colander, which was used every day in such heavy-duty professional ways, came to be called “Kamenoko-zaru” because when turned upside down, it looks just like a turtle’s shell.
Until just a generation ago, it was widely used in school lunch preparation and other professional kitchens, serving as an unsung hero supporting the stomachs of Japanese children.
Even today, it continues as a long-selling product used by professionals such as confectioners, rice cake makers, and rice cracker makers.
The material, Hachiku bamboo, has shorter nodes than Madake, splits easily, and has resilience, making it suitable for producing long, thin strips. In regions where baskets are made by folding back the strips at the edges during weaving, Hachiku is often chosen.This same Hachiku is also used in making souke baskets in Toyama and bon-zaru in Sado. The Kamenoko-zaru is finished with a regular vertical-and-horizontal weave, also called zarume-ami.When turned over, the outer skin of Hachiku—slightly whiter in tone compared to Madake—can be seen arranged in a regular pattern.The horizontal strips at the base, where splinters are more likely to occur on the bamboo’s inner side, have been carefully beveled by seasoned handwork.Holding the hatchet steady with hands and feet, each strip is drawn carefully, ensuring no mistakes occur.The strips are thickest and most solid near the base, becoming progressively thinner and finer toward the rim.For the rim, Madake bamboo is used.Wide, thick strips firmly sandwich the weave, secured and finished with wire.
There are two sizes.
The large size has a diameter of about 21.26″. This size is often ordered as a colander for pressing and straining boiled adzuki beans.The extra-large size has a diameter of about 23.62″. This size is often ordered as a rice colander.
When a freshly made basket arrives, the green fragrance of bamboo and the powerful presence of the basket are truly impressive. The baskets made by this craftsman, who has specialized in making large baskets and has continued producing them tirelessly, truly speak for themselves. As long as it is possible to deliver them, we sincerely wish to continue bringing these baskets to professionals.
Devoted to Bamboo Colanders — Bringing Traditional Strength into Everyday Life
Once common in restaurant kitchens and school cafeterias, bamboo colanders were essential for draining vegetables, washing noodles, and preparing rice. Their lightness and quick drainage supported busy kitchens—but today, most have been replaced by plastic or metal.
Amid this change, there remains a craftsman in Aichi who continues to make the same sturdy, professional-grade colanders as in the past. He has devoted his entire life to making only bamboo colanders — a rare dedication in Japan today. He does not create baskets or decorative crafts, but focuses entirely on making tools that serve practical purpose in everyday life.
Working without machines, he shapes each strip of bamboo by hand and knife, weaving every piece with precision and strength. The result is a colander that is robust yet graceful — durable, quick-draining, and increasingly familiar to the hand with each use. A tool that naturally becomes part of daily living.
This craftsman, whom we have known since his predecessor’s time, is now of advanced age. Yet the way his hands, feet, and knife move together in rhythm is the very image of mastery — a lifelong harmony between person and material.
Through his steadfast craftsmanship — honest, functional, and built to last — you can feel a simple wish: that these colanders continue to serve people’s kitchens for many years to come, as quiet companions to everyday life.
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.
Cut a large amount of vegetables and drain them. Wash a large amount of rice and drain it. Wash a large amount of beans and drain them. Press down a large amount of boiled adzuki beans to strain them.
This large round colander, which was used every day in such heavy-duty professional ways, came to be called “Kamenoko-zaru” because when turned upside down, it looks just like a turtle’s shell.
Until just a generation ago, it was widely used in school lunch preparation and other professional kitchens, serving as an unsung hero supporting the stomachs of Japanese children.
Even today, it continues as a long-selling product used by professionals such as confectioners, rice cake makers, and rice cracker makers.
The material, Hachiku bamboo, has shorter nodes than Madake, splits easily, and has resilience, making it suitable for producing long, thin strips. In regions where baskets are made by folding back the strips at the edges during weaving, Hachiku is often chosen.This same Hachiku is also used in making souke baskets in Toyama and bon-zaru in Sado. The Kamenoko-zaru is finished with a regular vertical-and-horizontal weave, also called zarume-ami.When turned over, the outer skin of Hachiku—slightly whiter in tone compared to Madake—can be seen arranged in a regular pattern.The horizontal strips at the base, where splinters are more likely to occur on the bamboo’s inner side, have been carefully beveled by seasoned handwork.Holding the hatchet steady with hands and feet, each strip is drawn carefully, ensuring no mistakes occur.The strips are thickest and most solid near the base, becoming progressively thinner and finer toward the rim.For the rim, Madake bamboo is used.Wide, thick strips firmly sandwich the weave, secured and finished with wire.
There are two sizes.
The large size has a diameter of about 21.26″. This size is often ordered as a colander for pressing and straining boiled adzuki beans.The extra-large size has a diameter of about 23.62″. This size is often ordered as a rice colander.
When a freshly made basket arrives, the green fragrance of bamboo and the powerful presence of the basket are truly impressive. The baskets made by this craftsman, who has specialized in making large baskets and has continued producing them tirelessly, truly speak for themselves. As long as it is possible to deliver them, we sincerely wish to continue bringing these baskets to professionals.
Devoted to Bamboo Colanders — Bringing Traditional Strength into Everyday Life
Once common in restaurant kitchens and school cafeterias, bamboo colanders were essential for draining vegetables, washing noodles, and preparing rice. Their lightness and quick drainage supported busy kitchens—but today, most have been replaced by plastic or metal.
Amid this change, there remains a craftsman in Aichi who continues to make the same sturdy, professional-grade colanders as in the past. He has devoted his entire life to making only bamboo colanders — a rare dedication in Japan today. He does not create baskets or decorative crafts, but focuses entirely on making tools that serve practical purpose in everyday life.
Working without machines, he shapes each strip of bamboo by hand and knife, weaving every piece with precision and strength. The result is a colander that is robust yet graceful — durable, quick-draining, and increasingly familiar to the hand with each use. A tool that naturally becomes part of daily living.
This craftsman, whom we have known since his predecessor’s time, is now of advanced age. Yet the way his hands, feet, and knife move together in rhythm is the very image of mastery — a lifelong harmony between person and material.
Through his steadfast craftsmanship — honest, functional, and built to last — you can feel a simple wish: that these colanders continue to serve people’s kitchens for many years to come, as quiet companions to everyday life.
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.