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 handled basket was made by an artisan who excels in creating baskets among those craftspeople.
It is woven from Nemagari bamboo strips using a dense weaving method called Gozame-ami.The natural texture of Nemagari bamboo can be fully appreciated, and even the natural speckles that appear on the surface add to its charm.Here is the rim. Thickly split strips of bamboo are used as the core, and the outer strips are tightly wrapped around with almost no gaps.Viewed from above, the rim is wrapped with young bamboo, which gives it both strength and a subtle softness.The handles are made from two pieces of Nemagari bamboo, bound together at the top center and secured by wrapping thin, tape-like strips of bamboo. Sometimes the handles are used whole without splitting, while in other cases, depending on the thickness, they are halved.Each handle is fixed to the basket at four points on the sides.At the section where the two handles meet,and at the points where they are bound, a small amount of adhesive is used for reinforcement. This ensures long-lasting durability and is not a defect.The base is woven in a sturdy technique called Ikada-zoko-ami.The wide bottom features horizontal strips, some of which are made from Madake bamboo for added strength.
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 be used as a harvest basket for home gardening, or as a versatile storage basket for the home.
Its softly rounded form gives it a warm and endearing presence.
This Nemagari bamboo craft carries the rustic charm of nature, and its quiet strength will surely make it a reliable companion in your daily 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 handled basket was made by an artisan who excels in creating baskets among those craftspeople.
It is woven from Nemagari bamboo strips using a dense weaving method called Gozame-ami.The natural texture of Nemagari bamboo can be fully appreciated, and even the natural speckles that appear on the surface add to its charm.Here is the rim. Thickly split strips of bamboo are used as the core, and the outer strips are tightly wrapped around with almost no gaps.Viewed from above, the rim is wrapped with young bamboo, which gives it both strength and a subtle softness.The handles are made from two pieces of Nemagari bamboo, bound together at the top center and secured by wrapping thin, tape-like strips of bamboo. Sometimes the handles are used whole without splitting, while in other cases, depending on the thickness, they are halved.Each handle is fixed to the basket at four points on the sides.At the section where the two handles meet,and at the points where they are bound, a small amount of adhesive is used for reinforcement. This ensures long-lasting durability and is not a defect.The base is woven in a sturdy technique called Ikada-zoko-ami.The wide bottom features horizontal strips, some of which are made from Madake bamboo for added strength.
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 be used as a harvest basket for home gardening, or as a versatile storage basket for the home.
Its softly rounded form gives it a warm and endearing presence.
This Nemagari bamboo craft carries the rustic charm of nature, and its quiet strength will surely make it a reliable companion in your daily 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 handled basket was made by an artisan who excels in creating baskets among those craftspeople.
It is woven from Nemagari bamboo strips using a dense weaving method called Gozame-ami.The natural texture of Nemagari bamboo can be fully appreciated, and even the natural speckles that appear on the surface add to its charm.Here is the rim. Thickly split strips of bamboo are used as the core, and the outer strips are tightly wrapped around with almost no gaps.Viewed from above, the rim is wrapped with young bamboo, which gives it both strength and a subtle softness.The handles are made from two pieces of Nemagari bamboo, bound together at the top center and secured by wrapping thin, tape-like strips of bamboo. Sometimes the handles are used whole without splitting, while in other cases, depending on the thickness, they are halved.Each handle is fixed to the basket at four points on the sides.At the section where the two handles meet,and at the points where they are bound, a small amount of adhesive is used for reinforcement. This ensures long-lasting durability and is not a defect.The base is woven in a sturdy technique called Ikada-zoko-ami.The wide bottom features horizontal strips, some of which are made from Madake bamboo for added strength.
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 be used as a harvest basket for home gardening, or as a versatile storage basket for the home.
Its softly rounded form gives it a warm and endearing presence.
This Nemagari bamboo craft carries the rustic charm of nature, and its quiet strength will surely make it a reliable companion in your daily 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.
