This bag, called “Antsuku,” is made on Taketomi Island using the stems of shell ginger.
Shell ginger is a perennial plant belonging to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and the genus Alpinia. The leaves, with their refreshing scent, are used for aromatherapy and herbal tea, and the fragrance is also known to have insect-repelling effects.
It features a long strap that allows it to be worn diagonally across the body, making it a shoulder bag type.The stems of shell ginger are dried and finely split, then twisted by hand into cords. Both the basket body and the shoulder strap are made entirely from these shell ginger cords.Several weaving techniques are combined to form the entire structure.Although a wooden mold is used, it is astonishing that such a refined pattern can be achieved using only hand-twisted shell ginger cords.The rim is created by folding back the warp strands, and remarkably, the basket body is made without joining any cords. The entire basket is woven from a single continuous cord—something rarely seen in bamboo, vine, or bark works, where materials are limited in length.Even the bottom is part of the same continuous weave, constructed in sets of four strands.The shoulder strap is tied securely to both sides of the basket.The simple act of tying a cord—something we do casually in daily life—appears deeply meaningful when seen through the making of this basket.The strap length can be adjusted.When worn on the shoulder, the height from the top of the basket to the peak of the strap ranges from about 11.02″ at its shortest to 21.65″ at its longest, allowing it to be comfortably worn by anyone.The capacity fits the essentials for a short outing.A long wallet fits horizontally, but since it is quite snug and may be difficult to take out, placing it vertically is recommended.The texture is soft to the touch, lightweight, and carries a pleasant natural scent.
Though not large in size, this basket requires a remarkable length of cord— and accordingly, a great deal of time to twist and prepare it. At first glance, the actions of twisting, weaving, and tying cords may seem like simple gestures.
Yet the choice of material and the way these movements are combined give rise to a wide variety of baskets—each shaped by the lives of the people and their surroundings. This piece, too, is one of the finest examples of how material and movement come together in perfect harmony.
Handcrafted from shell ginger growing naturally on Taketomi Island, this Antsuku bag is made to be part of your everyday life.
＊＊Basketry in Okinawa＊＊
Okinawa Prefecture includes a number of small islands that were once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, collectively known as the Ryukyu Archipelago.
The archipelago includes the Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama Islands— with only the Amami group now part of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The plants nurtured on these islands, lying between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, carry hues and qualities distinct from those of other regions of Japan. Shaped by human hands, they have long been transformed into tools for daily life, supporting the lives of the people.
Though each island is small in area, the tropical plants that thrive under the intense blue skies of Okinawa grow vividly and abundantly, providing a rich source of materials for basketry and craft.
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 bag, called “Antsuku,” is made on Taketomi Island using the stems of shell ginger.
Shell ginger is a perennial plant belonging to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and the genus Alpinia. The leaves, with their refreshing scent, are used for aromatherapy and herbal tea, and the fragrance is also known to have insect-repelling effects.
It features a long strap that allows it to be worn diagonally across the body, making it a shoulder bag type.The stems of shell ginger are dried and finely split, then twisted by hand into cords. Both the basket body and the shoulder strap are made entirely from these shell ginger cords.Several weaving techniques are combined to form the entire structure.Although a wooden mold is used, it is astonishing that such a refined pattern can be achieved using only hand-twisted shell ginger cords.The rim is created by folding back the warp strands, and remarkably, the basket body is made without joining any cords. The entire basket is woven from a single continuous cord—something rarely seen in bamboo, vine, or bark works, where materials are limited in length.Even the bottom is part of the same continuous weave, constructed in sets of four strands.The shoulder strap is tied securely to both sides of the basket.The simple act of tying a cord—something we do casually in daily life—appears deeply meaningful when seen through the making of this basket.The strap length can be adjusted.When worn on the shoulder, the height from the top of the basket to the peak of the strap ranges from about 11.02″ at its shortest to 21.65″ at its longest, allowing it to be comfortably worn by anyone.The capacity fits the essentials for a short outing.A long wallet fits horizontally, but since it is quite snug and may be difficult to take out, placing it vertically is recommended.The texture is soft to the touch, lightweight, and carries a pleasant natural scent.
Though not large in size, this basket requires a remarkable length of cord— and accordingly, a great deal of time to twist and prepare it. At first glance, the actions of twisting, weaving, and tying cords may seem like simple gestures.
Yet the choice of material and the way these movements are combined give rise to a wide variety of baskets—each shaped by the lives of the people and their surroundings. This piece, too, is one of the finest examples of how material and movement come together in perfect harmony.
Handcrafted from shell ginger growing naturally on Taketomi Island, this Antsuku bag is made to be part of your everyday life.
＊＊Basketry in Okinawa＊＊
Okinawa Prefecture includes a number of small islands that were once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, collectively known as the Ryukyu Archipelago.
The archipelago includes the Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama Islands— with only the Amami group now part of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The plants nurtured on these islands, lying between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, carry hues and qualities distinct from those of other regions of Japan. Shaped by human hands, they have long been transformed into tools for daily life, supporting the lives of the people.
Though each island is small in area, the tropical plants that thrive under the intense blue skies of Okinawa grow vividly and abundantly, providing a rich source of materials for basketry and craft.
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 bag, called “Antsuku,” is made on Taketomi Island using the stems of shell ginger.
Shell ginger is a perennial plant belonging to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and the genus Alpinia. The leaves, with their refreshing scent, are used for aromatherapy and herbal tea, and the fragrance is also known to have insect-repelling effects.
It features a long strap that allows it to be worn diagonally across the body, making it a shoulder bag type.The stems of shell ginger are dried and finely split, then twisted by hand into cords. Both the basket body and the shoulder strap are made entirely from these shell ginger cords.Several weaving techniques are combined to form the entire structure.Although a wooden mold is used, it is astonishing that such a refined pattern can be achieved using only hand-twisted shell ginger cords.The rim is created by folding back the warp strands, and remarkably, the basket body is made without joining any cords. The entire basket is woven from a single continuous cord—something rarely seen in bamboo, vine, or bark works, where materials are limited in length.Even the bottom is part of the same continuous weave, constructed in sets of four strands.The shoulder strap is tied securely to both sides of the basket.The simple act of tying a cord—something we do casually in daily life—appears deeply meaningful when seen through the making of this basket.The strap length can be adjusted.When worn on the shoulder, the height from the top of the basket to the peak of the strap ranges from about 11.02″ at its shortest to 21.65″ at its longest, allowing it to be comfortably worn by anyone.The capacity fits the essentials for a short outing.A long wallet fits horizontally, but since it is quite snug and may be difficult to take out, placing it vertically is recommended.The texture is soft to the touch, lightweight, and carries a pleasant natural scent.
Though not large in size, this basket requires a remarkable length of cord— and accordingly, a great deal of time to twist and prepare it. At first glance, the actions of twisting, weaving, and tying cords may seem like simple gestures.
Yet the choice of material and the way these movements are combined give rise to a wide variety of baskets—each shaped by the lives of the people and their surroundings. This piece, too, is one of the finest examples of how material and movement come together in perfect harmony.
Handcrafted from shell ginger growing naturally on Taketomi Island, this Antsuku bag is made to be part of your everyday life.
＊＊Basketry in Okinawa＊＊
Okinawa Prefecture includes a number of small islands that were once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, collectively known as the Ryukyu Archipelago.
The archipelago includes the Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama Islands— with only the Amami group now part of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The plants nurtured on these islands, lying between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, carry hues and qualities distinct from those of other regions of Japan. Shaped by human hands, they have long been transformed into tools for daily life, supporting the lives of the people.
Though each island is small in area, the tropical plants that thrive under the intense blue skies of Okinawa grow vividly and abundantly, providing a rich source of materials for basketry and craft.
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.
