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 Nemagari bamboo basket, simply woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern and fitted with a single handle.
The entire body is woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern using finely split Nemagari bamboo strips.Although the weave itself is simple, it carries the distinctive, rustic character of Nemagari bamboo.Viewed from the outside, the rim shows paired wrapping strips that run through each opening of the weave.From above, you can see the gentle curves of the rim—shaped naturally without forcing the material.At the joint between the handle and the basket, the handle runs from the upper rim all the way down to the base.The inside is finished cleanly with a neat, open structure.From the side, you can see the handle gracefully arching—it is made from a single rounded piece of Nemagari bamboo, gently bent with heat. Its smooth outer surface feels pleasant to the touch.The bottom is also woven in the same Mutsume-ami pattern.Looking from above, the basket forms an oval shape, with reinforcing strips running along the base. Depending on the availability of materials, some baskets may not have reinforcing strips.In some cases, the base weave is reinforced with additional bamboo strips, creating a denser pattern.We will deliver whichever version is available at the time of your order.Likewise, depending on the artisan and the season of production, the arrangement of reinforcing strips may vary—some extend up the sides, others run only across the base. Because this depends largely on material conditions, we kindly ask for your understanding that the number or placement of reinforcing strips may differ.
With a handle attached, this basket can be used in a wider variety of ways. It is also suitable as a harvest basket for home gardening. Even if it gets muddy or dirty, you can simply wash it with water and a scrubbing brush, and it will soon become clean again—perfect for both outdoor and indoor use. When it becomes wet, be sure to dry it thoroughly in the shade in a well-ventilated place.
You can also keep root vegetables around the kitchen, or use it as a fruit basket for apples, mandarins, or bananas—it will make whatever you place in it look beautiful. It also works nicely for storing tea utensils or small sweets for serving guests.
Having a handle allows you to carry the basket evenly, reducing stress on the rim, which is often the most fragile part. It helps the basket maintain its shape beautifully, and makes it easy to move smoothly from the kitchen to the dining table.
With its handle made directly from Nemagari bamboo, this basket will surely find a place in your everyday life.
__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 Nemagari bamboo basket, simply woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern and fitted with a single handle.
The entire body is woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern using finely split Nemagari bamboo strips.Although the weave itself is simple, it carries the distinctive, rustic character of Nemagari bamboo.Viewed from the outside, the rim shows paired wrapping strips that run through each opening of the weave.From above, you can see the gentle curves of the rim—shaped naturally without forcing the material.At the joint between the handle and the basket, the handle runs from the upper rim all the way down to the base.The inside is finished cleanly with a neat, open structure.From the side, you can see the handle gracefully arching—it is made from a single rounded piece of Nemagari bamboo, gently bent with heat. Its smooth outer surface feels pleasant to the touch.The bottom is also woven in the same Mutsume-ami pattern.Looking from above, the basket forms an oval shape, with reinforcing strips running along the base. Depending on the availability of materials, some baskets may not have reinforcing strips.In some cases, the base weave is reinforced with additional bamboo strips, creating a denser pattern.We will deliver whichever version is available at the time of your order.Likewise, depending on the artisan and the season of production, the arrangement of reinforcing strips may vary—some extend up the sides, others run only across the base. Because this depends largely on material conditions, we kindly ask for your understanding that the number or placement of reinforcing strips may differ.
With a handle attached, this basket can be used in a wider variety of ways. It is also suitable as a harvest basket for home gardening. Even if it gets muddy or dirty, you can simply wash it with water and a scrubbing brush, and it will soon become clean again—perfect for both outdoor and indoor use. When it becomes wet, be sure to dry it thoroughly in the shade in a well-ventilated place.
You can also keep root vegetables around the kitchen, or use it as a fruit basket for apples, mandarins, or bananas—it will make whatever you place in it look beautiful. It also works nicely for storing tea utensils or small sweets for serving guests.
Having a handle allows you to carry the basket evenly, reducing stress on the rim, which is often the most fragile part. It helps the basket maintain its shape beautifully, and makes it easy to move smoothly from the kitchen to the dining table.
With its handle made directly from Nemagari bamboo, this basket will surely find a place in your everyday life.
__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 Nemagari bamboo basket, simply woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern and fitted with a single handle.
The entire body is woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern using finely split Nemagari bamboo strips.Although the weave itself is simple, it carries the distinctive, rustic character of Nemagari bamboo.Viewed from the outside, the rim shows paired wrapping strips that run through each opening of the weave.From above, you can see the gentle curves of the rim—shaped naturally without forcing the material.At the joint between the handle and the basket, the handle runs from the upper rim all the way down to the base.The inside is finished cleanly with a neat, open structure.From the side, you can see the handle gracefully arching—it is made from a single rounded piece of Nemagari bamboo, gently bent with heat. Its smooth outer surface feels pleasant to the touch.The bottom is also woven in the same Mutsume-ami pattern.Looking from above, the basket forms an oval shape, with reinforcing strips running along the base. Depending on the availability of materials, some baskets may not have reinforcing strips.In some cases, the base weave is reinforced with additional bamboo strips, creating a denser pattern.We will deliver whichever version is available at the time of your order.Likewise, depending on the artisan and the season of production, the arrangement of reinforcing strips may vary—some extend up the sides, others run only across the base. Because this depends largely on material conditions, we kindly ask for your understanding that the number or placement of reinforcing strips may differ.
With a handle attached, this basket can be used in a wider variety of ways. It is also suitable as a harvest basket for home gardening. Even if it gets muddy or dirty, you can simply wash it with water and a scrubbing brush, and it will soon become clean again—perfect for both outdoor and indoor use. When it becomes wet, be sure to dry it thoroughly in the shade in a well-ventilated place.
You can also keep root vegetables around the kitchen, or use it as a fruit basket for apples, mandarins, or bananas—it will make whatever you place in it look beautiful. It also works nicely for storing tea utensils or small sweets for serving guests.
Having a handle allows you to carry the basket evenly, reducing stress on the rim, which is often the most fragile part. It helps the basket maintain its shape beautifully, and makes it easy to move smoothly from the kitchen to the dining table.
With its handle made directly from Nemagari bamboo, this basket will surely find a place in your everyday life.
__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.
