The Nemagari bamboo craft of the Oguni area in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, varied from one hamlet to another. Some specialized in making sieves, while others focused on baskets.
The Nemagari bamboo harvested around Lake Oguni, where fields of Nikkōkisuge grow in abundance, is a type of dwarf bamboo that grows in cold, snowy mountains at high altitudes, and its diameter is about 0.20 to 0.31 inches.
Since the early Edo period, people have crafted this Nemagari bamboo using only a hatchet, making daily tools such as sieves and baskets for everyday life. Bamboo work in this region also served as an important source of income during winter, when farming could not be done.
This is a Mikago, a basket made from Nemagari bamboo and shaped like a traditional mi (winnowing basket). The word mi in Mikago comes from the open-sided shape of the mi.
Because one side is open, it is convenient for holding harvested items, and also makes it easy to take things out or pour them in.
The bamboo strips used are finely split and thinned from Nemagari bamboo.The body is woven in Mutsume-ami, with an additional strip added across each opening to make the weave denser so that smaller items can rest on it, and to add strength.The rim is made by wrapping thin strips of bamboo around a half-split core, securing them loosely through each intersection.In some parts that are not visible, small metal fittings may be used as temporary fasteners, but the basket is mostly completed using only Nemagari bamboo.When turned upside down, the frame at the base reveals a distinctive shape—a form unique to Nemagari bamboo work from Fukushima.The slanted form, with one side lower than the other, makes it remarkably easy to place or remove items.Both sizes are made in nearly the same way.This is the medium size.This is the large size.When stacked together, the medium and large baskets nest neatly for compact storage.
Because the sizes are relatively small, they are easy to use for home gardening tasks such as harvesting or rinsing vegetables.
Of course, you can also keep root vegetables that don’t need refrigeration, or use it as a fruit basket—it brings a natural charm to your table.
The warm, rustic look of the bamboo will also complement displays in shops or markets, making the items stand out beautifully.
Please check the dimensions and choose your preferred size.
__Nemagari Bamboo Craft of Oguni, Fukushima__
Simple, rugged, and sturdy—these are the characteristics of Nemagari bamboo craft from Oguni. Artisans do not overly standardize the width of the strips; they often use thicker pieces or employ half-split Nemagari bamboo as it is for the rim.
Rather than shaping the baskets freely according to personal preference, they work with the natural flexibility and strength of Nemagari bamboo, gently adjusting the form by hand.
The rustic, unrefined beauty and quiet depth that arise from this process are what make Oguni’s Nemagari bamboo craft truly distinctive.
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.
The Nemagari bamboo craft of the Oguni area in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, varied from one hamlet to another. Some specialized in making sieves, while others focused on baskets.
The Nemagari bamboo harvested around Lake Oguni, where fields of Nikkōkisuge grow in abundance, is a type of dwarf bamboo that grows in cold, snowy mountains at high altitudes, and its diameter is about 0.20 to 0.31 inches.
Since the early Edo period, people have crafted this Nemagari bamboo using only a hatchet, making daily tools such as sieves and baskets for everyday life. Bamboo work in this region also served as an important source of income during winter, when farming could not be done.
This is a Mikago, a basket made from Nemagari bamboo and shaped like a traditional mi (winnowing basket). The word mi in Mikago comes from the open-sided shape of the mi.
Because one side is open, it is convenient for holding harvested items, and also makes it easy to take things out or pour them in.
The bamboo strips used are finely split and thinned from Nemagari bamboo.The body is woven in Mutsume-ami, with an additional strip added across each opening to make the weave denser so that smaller items can rest on it, and to add strength.The rim is made by wrapping thin strips of bamboo around a half-split core, securing them loosely through each intersection.In some parts that are not visible, small metal fittings may be used as temporary fasteners, but the basket is mostly completed using only Nemagari bamboo.When turned upside down, the frame at the base reveals a distinctive shape—a form unique to Nemagari bamboo work from Fukushima.The slanted form, with one side lower than the other, makes it remarkably easy to place or remove items.Both sizes are made in nearly the same way.This is the medium size.This is the large size.When stacked together, the medium and large baskets nest neatly for compact storage.
Because the sizes are relatively small, they are easy to use for home gardening tasks such as harvesting or rinsing vegetables.
Of course, you can also keep root vegetables that don’t need refrigeration, or use it as a fruit basket—it brings a natural charm to your table.
The warm, rustic look of the bamboo will also complement displays in shops or markets, making the items stand out beautifully.
Please check the dimensions and choose your preferred size.
__Nemagari Bamboo Craft of Oguni, Fukushima__
Simple, rugged, and sturdy—these are the characteristics of Nemagari bamboo craft from Oguni. Artisans do not overly standardize the width of the strips; they often use thicker pieces or employ half-split Nemagari bamboo as it is for the rim.
Rather than shaping the baskets freely according to personal preference, they work with the natural flexibility and strength of Nemagari bamboo, gently adjusting the form by hand.
The rustic, unrefined beauty and quiet depth that arise from this process are what make Oguni’s Nemagari bamboo craft truly distinctive.
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.
The Nemagari bamboo craft of the Oguni area in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, varied from one hamlet to another. Some specialized in making sieves, while others focused on baskets.
The Nemagari bamboo harvested around Lake Oguni, where fields of Nikkōkisuge grow in abundance, is a type of dwarf bamboo that grows in cold, snowy mountains at high altitudes, and its diameter is about 0.20 to 0.31 inches.
Since the early Edo period, people have crafted this Nemagari bamboo using only a hatchet, making daily tools such as sieves and baskets for everyday life. Bamboo work in this region also served as an important source of income during winter, when farming could not be done.
This is a Mikago, a basket made from Nemagari bamboo and shaped like a traditional mi (winnowing basket). The word mi in Mikago comes from the open-sided shape of the mi.
Because one side is open, it is convenient for holding harvested items, and also makes it easy to take things out or pour them in.
The bamboo strips used are finely split and thinned from Nemagari bamboo.The body is woven in Mutsume-ami, with an additional strip added across each opening to make the weave denser so that smaller items can rest on it, and to add strength.The rim is made by wrapping thin strips of bamboo around a half-split core, securing them loosely through each intersection.In some parts that are not visible, small metal fittings may be used as temporary fasteners, but the basket is mostly completed using only Nemagari bamboo.When turned upside down, the frame at the base reveals a distinctive shape—a form unique to Nemagari bamboo work from Fukushima.The slanted form, with one side lower than the other, makes it remarkably easy to place or remove items.Both sizes are made in nearly the same way.This is the medium size.This is the large size.When stacked together, the medium and large baskets nest neatly for compact storage.
Because the sizes are relatively small, they are easy to use for home gardening tasks such as harvesting or rinsing vegetables.
Of course, you can also keep root vegetables that don’t need refrigeration, or use it as a fruit basket—it brings a natural charm to your table.
The warm, rustic look of the bamboo will also complement displays in shops or markets, making the items stand out beautifully.
Please check the dimensions and choose your preferred size.
__Nemagari Bamboo Craft of Oguni, Fukushima__
Simple, rugged, and sturdy—these are the characteristics of Nemagari bamboo craft from Oguni. Artisans do not overly standardize the width of the strips; they often use thicker pieces or employ half-split Nemagari bamboo as it is for the rim.
Rather than shaping the baskets freely according to personal preference, they work with the natural flexibility and strength of Nemagari bamboo, gently adjusting the form by hand.
The rustic, unrefined beauty and quiet depth that arise from this process are what make Oguni’s Nemagari bamboo craft truly distinctive.
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.
