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 large basket called Imoarai, traditionally used for washing potatoes. The name Imoarai literally means “potato washing.” People would place potatoes inside the basket and wash them directly in the river— you can easily picture such a lively scene.
It comes in two sizes: small and medium.
Nemagari bamboo craft from Oguni is characterized by its simplicity, ruggedness, and strength. Artisans do not make the strips too uniform in width; they often use thicker strips or even half-split pieces of Nemagari bamboo as they are.
Rather than shaping the basket freely according to their preference, they make use of the natural flexibility and strength of Nemagari bamboo, and then carefully adjust the shape by hand. Though the weave may not be perfectly even, the basket’s firm and solid structure is a defining feature.
Both sizes are made in nearly the same way.
The entire basket is based on the Mutsume-ami pattern, a weave of hexagonal openings, with one additional horizontal strip running through each center. This technique, called Metsubushi, creates a denser pattern, making the basket more suitable for washing vegetables.The rim is made by splitting thick Nemagari bamboo in half and fitting the pieces along the inside and outside edges of the basket, then wrapping them by threading thin, tape-like strips of bamboo through each opening of the weave.Both the small and medium sizes feature the same rim structure. The rim is wrapped with the outer skin of young Nemagari bamboo, which shows the flexibility of the material.The bottom is also woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern, with additional strips inserted to increase strength. In some parts, two strips are paired and woven together, making the base even more durable and resistant to weight.You may notice some cracks or splits in the bamboo strips, but these are not defects and do not affect use.Because of its depth, it can hold a generous amount of potatoes, vegetables, or other items.On the underside, you can see two reinforcing strips arranged in a cross pattern, providing ample support for both weight and volume.
We will now introduce each size.
This is the small size.Although it is called “small,” it is large enough for household use.This is the medium size.This size is the one that was most commonly used in the original producing region.
Since Nemagari bamboo work from Oguni makes use of the natural bends of the material, a variation of about 1.2″ to 2.0″ in shape or size is common. We recommend allowing a little extra room when considering the dimensions.
It can, of course, be used as an imoarai basket in its original way, and with its deep shape, it also serves well as a generous harvest basket. You can even wash freshly picked vegetables directly in the basket.
For shops and displays, the authentic texture of this bamboo craft will also enhance the appearance of the items you present.
This Nemagari bamboo basket carries the rustic charm of nature, and its quiet depth makes it a reliable companion in daily fieldwork.
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 large basket called Imoarai, traditionally used for washing potatoes. The name Imoarai literally means “potato washing.” People would place potatoes inside the basket and wash them directly in the river— you can easily picture such a lively scene.
It comes in two sizes: small and medium.
Nemagari bamboo craft from Oguni is characterized by its simplicity, ruggedness, and strength. Artisans do not make the strips too uniform in width; they often use thicker strips or even half-split pieces of Nemagari bamboo as they are.
Rather than shaping the basket freely according to their preference, they make use of the natural flexibility and strength of Nemagari bamboo, and then carefully adjust the shape by hand. Though the weave may not be perfectly even, the basket’s firm and solid structure is a defining feature.
Both sizes are made in nearly the same way.
The entire basket is based on the Mutsume-ami pattern, a weave of hexagonal openings, with one additional horizontal strip running through each center. This technique, called Metsubushi, creates a denser pattern, making the basket more suitable for washing vegetables.The rim is made by splitting thick Nemagari bamboo in half and fitting the pieces along the inside and outside edges of the basket, then wrapping them by threading thin, tape-like strips of bamboo through each opening of the weave.Both the small and medium sizes feature the same rim structure. The rim is wrapped with the outer skin of young Nemagari bamboo, which shows the flexibility of the material.The bottom is also woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern, with additional strips inserted to increase strength. In some parts, two strips are paired and woven together, making the base even more durable and resistant to weight.You may notice some cracks or splits in the bamboo strips, but these are not defects and do not affect use.Because of its depth, it can hold a generous amount of potatoes, vegetables, or other items.On the underside, you can see two reinforcing strips arranged in a cross pattern, providing ample support for both weight and volume.
We will now introduce each size.
This is the small size.Although it is called “small,” it is large enough for household use.This is the medium size.This size is the one that was most commonly used in the original producing region.
Since Nemagari bamboo work from Oguni makes use of the natural bends of the material, a variation of about 1.2″ to 2.0″ in shape or size is common. We recommend allowing a little extra room when considering the dimensions.
It can, of course, be used as an imoarai basket in its original way, and with its deep shape, it also serves well as a generous harvest basket. You can even wash freshly picked vegetables directly in the basket.
For shops and displays, the authentic texture of this bamboo craft will also enhance the appearance of the items you present.
This Nemagari bamboo basket carries the rustic charm of nature, and its quiet depth makes it a reliable companion in daily fieldwork.
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 large basket called Imoarai, traditionally used for washing potatoes. The name Imoarai literally means “potato washing.” People would place potatoes inside the basket and wash them directly in the river— you can easily picture such a lively scene.
It comes in two sizes: small and medium.
Nemagari bamboo craft from Oguni is characterized by its simplicity, ruggedness, and strength. Artisans do not make the strips too uniform in width; they often use thicker strips or even half-split pieces of Nemagari bamboo as they are.
Rather than shaping the basket freely according to their preference, they make use of the natural flexibility and strength of Nemagari bamboo, and then carefully adjust the shape by hand. Though the weave may not be perfectly even, the basket’s firm and solid structure is a defining feature.
Both sizes are made in nearly the same way.
The entire basket is based on the Mutsume-ami pattern, a weave of hexagonal openings, with one additional horizontal strip running through each center. This technique, called Metsubushi, creates a denser pattern, making the basket more suitable for washing vegetables.The rim is made by splitting thick Nemagari bamboo in half and fitting the pieces along the inside and outside edges of the basket, then wrapping them by threading thin, tape-like strips of bamboo through each opening of the weave.Both the small and medium sizes feature the same rim structure. The rim is wrapped with the outer skin of young Nemagari bamboo, which shows the flexibility of the material.The bottom is also woven in the Mutsume-ami pattern, with additional strips inserted to increase strength. In some parts, two strips are paired and woven together, making the base even more durable and resistant to weight.You may notice some cracks or splits in the bamboo strips, but these are not defects and do not affect use.Because of its depth, it can hold a generous amount of potatoes, vegetables, or other items.On the underside, you can see two reinforcing strips arranged in a cross pattern, providing ample support for both weight and volume.
We will now introduce each size.
This is the small size.Although it is called “small,” it is large enough for household use.This is the medium size.This size is the one that was most commonly used in the original producing region.
Since Nemagari bamboo work from Oguni makes use of the natural bends of the material, a variation of about 1.2″ to 2.0″ in shape or size is common. We recommend allowing a little extra room when considering the dimensions.
It can, of course, be used as an imoarai basket in its original way, and with its deep shape, it also serves well as a generous harvest basket. You can even wash freshly picked vegetables directly in the basket.
For shops and displays, the authentic texture of this bamboo craft will also enhance the appearance of the items you present.
This Nemagari bamboo basket carries the rustic charm of nature, and its quiet depth makes it a reliable companion in daily fieldwork.
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.
