This is a small spherical basket made from silver vine.
Silver vine, widely known by name, actually belongs to the same family as the kiwi fruit. When you cut its fruit open, the arrangement of the seeds looks remarkably similar. It grows wild on mountain slopes and is known for being very labor-intensive to harvest. The branches are harvested in autumn, then dried before being used for weaving.
The overall weave is tight and dense, with few gaps. This version keeps part of the natural bark on the vine and contains dried silver vine fruits inside, making it especially rich in aroma.In its production region, it is known as a “cat toy” or “silver vine ball.”The branches retain a slight greenish hue, and you can almost sense the fragrance. Silver vine is famous for its appeal to cats, especially Japanese breeds, and is often used to make toys for them.It is a relatively soft and flexible material. In regions where bamboo is scarce—such as Oku-Aizu in Fukushima and parts of Yamagata—it has long been used to make household baskets and strainers.Unlike products that simply include silver vine powder, this piece itself is made entirely from silver vine.Inside are multiple dried silver vine fruits. When you shake the ball, you can hear the faint rustling sound of the fruit inside.
Some cats may react very strongly, so please follow the guidelines below when playing.
・Use only under supervision, as some cats may act intoxicated or overexcited. ・Some cats may show no interest at all. ・Store out of reach when not in use. ・The natural fragrance will fade gradually over time. ・Do not allow prolonged play sessions. ・We cannot accept returns based on the cat’s reaction or lack of interest. ・If a strip comes loose, simply press or weave it back into place. ・You may thread a string through the weave to hang or attach it as you like. ・Some bark may flake off, and small cracks may appear due to drying—these are natural and not defects.
It fits comfortably within both hands and is easy to handle.
Freshly delivered pieces from the region carry a noticeable fragrance, even to the human nose. The texture and appearance reflect the true character of silver vine growing in the mountains. Please enjoy playful moments with your cat and the natural scent of the mountains at home.
__Shapes born from the rich materials of Yamagata, captivating the heart__
Using natural materials from the mountains—wild grape, walnut, akebi vine, and matatabi vine— craftswoman Kaoru Saito creates one-of-a-kind basketry pieces and delicately elegant forms that you can’t find anywhere else.
For many years, she has ventured into the mountains herself to gather materials and create baskets entirely from scratch.
Kaoru is also a master craftswoman known for producing finely woven, high-quality wild grape handbags. The accessories and ornaments she creates from multiple natural materials are not only beautifully refined but also carry a sense of playfulness and thoughtful design for the user.
She has an intimate understanding of each material and is herself a frequent user of baskets, accessories, and small handmade items.
Kaoru continues to listen closely to the voices of her customers, constantly studying how her creations can be made easier, more beautiful, and more enjoyable to use.
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 small spherical basket made from silver vine.
Silver vine, widely known by name, actually belongs to the same family as the kiwi fruit. When you cut its fruit open, the arrangement of the seeds looks remarkably similar. It grows wild on mountain slopes and is known for being very labor-intensive to harvest. The branches are harvested in autumn, then dried before being used for weaving.
The overall weave is tight and dense, with few gaps. This version keeps part of the natural bark on the vine and contains dried silver vine fruits inside, making it especially rich in aroma.In its production region, it is known as a “cat toy” or “silver vine ball.”The branches retain a slight greenish hue, and you can almost sense the fragrance. Silver vine is famous for its appeal to cats, especially Japanese breeds, and is often used to make toys for them.It is a relatively soft and flexible material. In regions where bamboo is scarce—such as Oku-Aizu in Fukushima and parts of Yamagata—it has long been used to make household baskets and strainers.Unlike products that simply include silver vine powder, this piece itself is made entirely from silver vine.Inside are multiple dried silver vine fruits. When you shake the ball, you can hear the faint rustling sound of the fruit inside.
Some cats may react very strongly, so please follow the guidelines below when playing.
・Use only under supervision, as some cats may act intoxicated or overexcited. ・Some cats may show no interest at all. ・Store out of reach when not in use. ・The natural fragrance will fade gradually over time. ・Do not allow prolonged play sessions. ・We cannot accept returns based on the cat’s reaction or lack of interest. ・If a strip comes loose, simply press or weave it back into place. ・You may thread a string through the weave to hang or attach it as you like. ・Some bark may flake off, and small cracks may appear due to drying—these are natural and not defects.
It fits comfortably within both hands and is easy to handle.
Freshly delivered pieces from the region carry a noticeable fragrance, even to the human nose. The texture and appearance reflect the true character of silver vine growing in the mountains. Please enjoy playful moments with your cat and the natural scent of the mountains at home.
__Shapes born from the rich materials of Yamagata, captivating the heart__
Using natural materials from the mountains—wild grape, walnut, akebi vine, and matatabi vine— craftswoman Kaoru Saito creates one-of-a-kind basketry pieces and delicately elegant forms that you can’t find anywhere else.
For many years, she has ventured into the mountains herself to gather materials and create baskets entirely from scratch.
Kaoru is also a master craftswoman known for producing finely woven, high-quality wild grape handbags. The accessories and ornaments she creates from multiple natural materials are not only beautifully refined but also carry a sense of playfulness and thoughtful design for the user.
She has an intimate understanding of each material and is herself a frequent user of baskets, accessories, and small handmade items.
Kaoru continues to listen closely to the voices of her customers, constantly studying how her creations can be made easier, more beautiful, and more enjoyable to use.
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 small spherical basket made from silver vine.
Silver vine, widely known by name, actually belongs to the same family as the kiwi fruit. When you cut its fruit open, the arrangement of the seeds looks remarkably similar. It grows wild on mountain slopes and is known for being very labor-intensive to harvest. The branches are harvested in autumn, then dried before being used for weaving.
The overall weave is tight and dense, with few gaps. This version keeps part of the natural bark on the vine and contains dried silver vine fruits inside, making it especially rich in aroma.In its production region, it is known as a “cat toy” or “silver vine ball.”The branches retain a slight greenish hue, and you can almost sense the fragrance. Silver vine is famous for its appeal to cats, especially Japanese breeds, and is often used to make toys for them.It is a relatively soft and flexible material. In regions where bamboo is scarce—such as Oku-Aizu in Fukushima and parts of Yamagata—it has long been used to make household baskets and strainers.Unlike products that simply include silver vine powder, this piece itself is made entirely from silver vine.Inside are multiple dried silver vine fruits. When you shake the ball, you can hear the faint rustling sound of the fruit inside.
Some cats may react very strongly, so please follow the guidelines below when playing.
・Use only under supervision, as some cats may act intoxicated or overexcited. ・Some cats may show no interest at all. ・Store out of reach when not in use. ・The natural fragrance will fade gradually over time. ・Do not allow prolonged play sessions. ・We cannot accept returns based on the cat’s reaction or lack of interest. ・If a strip comes loose, simply press or weave it back into place. ・You may thread a string through the weave to hang or attach it as you like. ・Some bark may flake off, and small cracks may appear due to drying—these are natural and not defects.
It fits comfortably within both hands and is easy to handle.
Freshly delivered pieces from the region carry a noticeable fragrance, even to the human nose. The texture and appearance reflect the true character of silver vine growing in the mountains. Please enjoy playful moments with your cat and the natural scent of the mountains at home.
__Shapes born from the rich materials of Yamagata, captivating the heart__
Using natural materials from the mountains—wild grape, walnut, akebi vine, and matatabi vine— craftswoman Kaoru Saito creates one-of-a-kind basketry pieces and delicately elegant forms that you can’t find anywhere else.
For many years, she has ventured into the mountains herself to gather materials and create baskets entirely from scratch.
Kaoru is also a master craftswoman known for producing finely woven, high-quality wild grape handbags. The accessories and ornaments she creates from multiple natural materials are not only beautifully refined but also carry a sense of playfulness and thoughtful design for the user.
She has an intimate understanding of each material and is herself a frequent user of baskets, accessories, and small handmade items.
Kaoru continues to listen closely to the voices of her customers, constantly studying how her creations can be made easier, more beautiful, and more enjoyable to use.
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.