In Togakushi, Nagano Prefecture, four types of Nemagari bamboo crafts are considered representative: the strainer, fish basket, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
This is one of them—the dish basket. In the region, it is also known as a chabon basket.
Chabon refers to a tray used for serving tea utensils, but this version, made from Nemagari bamboo, is shaped like a shallow basket with slightly raised edges.
We are often asked whether this can be used as a “draining basket.” However, due to its natural material and construction, keeping it wet may cause mold or deterioration over time, so we do not recommend using it for draining dishes.
Instead, we recommend using it for well-wiped or thoroughly drained dishes to let them finish drying, or as a basket for storing clean, dry tableware upside down.
This page introduces four basic styles of the chabon baskets from the Togakushi area.
In the photo, the left side shows the round type in medium and large, and the right side shows the oval type in medium and large.Here, the large round and large oval baskets are placed side by side. The round type gives a slightly more spacious impression.The basic construction of the baskets is nearly the same for all types.The body of each basket is woven in the traditional mutsume-ami, with additional strips crossed between the main pattern—a technique often used in the Togakushi area.The rim is wrapped to match the weave pattern, and Nemagari bamboo is used for all the core materials.You can see that the rim wrapping passes through every intersection of the weave.All four types share the same rim finish.The bottom is woven in a simple mutsume-ami hexagonal pattern, which gives a clean and light impression different from the basket’s body.Two reinforcing strips of bamboo are inserted in a cross under the base to support the bottom. Depending on the craftsman or material, these may be placed vertically or in a cross pattern. Which type you receive will depend on the timing of production, and we appreciate your understanding.With its slightly elevated base, this basket maintains good ventilation and is ideal not only for dishes but also for storing fruits or vegetables.As a finishing step, the craftsman lightly singes any fine splinters of bamboo, which may leave small scorch marks as shown in the photos. These are not defects, but part of the hand-finishing process.Next, let us look at each size.First, the medium round type.Here, the medium round basket holds a spouted bowl, two small plates, and a sake cup.This is the large round type.The large round basket contains two sets of rice bowls, soup bowls, glasses, and chopsticks. If stacked carefully, it could hold one or two more sets.This is the medium oval type.The medium oval basket holds a small cup, a tea strainer, and tea leaves—arranged here as a tea set.This is the large oval type.The large oval basket holds two sets of rice bowls, soup bowls, medium plates, and chopsticks.
It can be used in many ways—as a tea set tray, snack basket, or fruit basket.
Photo: Oval – Medium size
All types feature a fine and even weave, beautiful in appearance and sturdily made with broad bamboo strips.
Both sizes are practical and not too large—easy to incorporate into modern daily life.
Please choose the shape and size that best suit your needs.
__Nemagari Bamboo Crafts of Togakushi, Nagano__
The tradition began in the early Edo period and continues today as a source of livelihood for the people of the Chūsha district in Togakushi. Because Togakushi has little flat land and no rice fields, bamboo became deeply connected with daily life— it was even recognized as a form of tax payment under special provisions.
From the Meiji era to the mid-Showa period, as sericulture (silkworm farming) flourished, the demand for silkworm baskets increased, and both production and the number of craftsmen reached their peak.
The harvesting of materials is carried out under a system in which craftsmen borrow rights to cut bamboo from national forests. To protect this precious resource, members of the bamboo craft association take turns serving as “takenoko guards” during the spring bamboo shoot season to prevent overharvesting.
The harvested nemagari bamboo is polished, split into quarters, and separated into outer skin and inner core to create fine strips for weaving. Among these crafts, four are considered the most representative: the fish basket, strainer, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
The resulting pieces, known for their refined finish, durability, and the distinctive warmth of Nemagari bamboo, remain beloved in daily life even today.
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.
In Togakushi, Nagano Prefecture, four types of Nemagari bamboo crafts are considered representative: the strainer, fish basket, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
This is one of them—the dish basket. In the region, it is also known as a chabon basket.
Chabon refers to a tray used for serving tea utensils, but this version, made from Nemagari bamboo, is shaped like a shallow basket with slightly raised edges.
We are often asked whether this can be used as a “draining basket.” However, due to its natural material and construction, keeping it wet may cause mold or deterioration over time, so we do not recommend using it for draining dishes.
Instead, we recommend using it for well-wiped or thoroughly drained dishes to let them finish drying, or as a basket for storing clean, dry tableware upside down.
This page introduces four basic styles of the chabon baskets from the Togakushi area.
In the photo, the left side shows the round type in medium and large, and the right side shows the oval type in medium and large.Here, the large round and large oval baskets are placed side by side. The round type gives a slightly more spacious impression.The basic construction of the baskets is nearly the same for all types.The body of each basket is woven in the traditional mutsume-ami, with additional strips crossed between the main pattern—a technique often used in the Togakushi area.The rim is wrapped to match the weave pattern, and Nemagari bamboo is used for all the core materials.You can see that the rim wrapping passes through every intersection of the weave.All four types share the same rim finish.The bottom is woven in a simple mutsume-ami hexagonal pattern, which gives a clean and light impression different from the basket’s body.Two reinforcing strips of bamboo are inserted in a cross under the base to support the bottom. Depending on the craftsman or material, these may be placed vertically or in a cross pattern. Which type you receive will depend on the timing of production, and we appreciate your understanding.With its slightly elevated base, this basket maintains good ventilation and is ideal not only for dishes but also for storing fruits or vegetables.As a finishing step, the craftsman lightly singes any fine splinters of bamboo, which may leave small scorch marks as shown in the photos. These are not defects, but part of the hand-finishing process.Next, let us look at each size.First, the medium round type.Here, the medium round basket holds a spouted bowl, two small plates, and a sake cup.This is the large round type.The large round basket contains two sets of rice bowls, soup bowls, glasses, and chopsticks. If stacked carefully, it could hold one or two more sets.This is the medium oval type.The medium oval basket holds a small cup, a tea strainer, and tea leaves—arranged here as a tea set.This is the large oval type.The large oval basket holds two sets of rice bowls, soup bowls, medium plates, and chopsticks.
It can be used in many ways—as a tea set tray, snack basket, or fruit basket.
Photo: Oval – Medium size
All types feature a fine and even weave, beautiful in appearance and sturdily made with broad bamboo strips.
Both sizes are practical and not too large—easy to incorporate into modern daily life.
Please choose the shape and size that best suit your needs.
__Nemagari Bamboo Crafts of Togakushi, Nagano__
The tradition began in the early Edo period and continues today as a source of livelihood for the people of the Chūsha district in Togakushi. Because Togakushi has little flat land and no rice fields, bamboo became deeply connected with daily life— it was even recognized as a form of tax payment under special provisions.
From the Meiji era to the mid-Showa period, as sericulture (silkworm farming) flourished, the demand for silkworm baskets increased, and both production and the number of craftsmen reached their peak.
The harvesting of materials is carried out under a system in which craftsmen borrow rights to cut bamboo from national forests. To protect this precious resource, members of the bamboo craft association take turns serving as “takenoko guards” during the spring bamboo shoot season to prevent overharvesting.
The harvested nemagari bamboo is polished, split into quarters, and separated into outer skin and inner core to create fine strips for weaving. Among these crafts, four are considered the most representative: the fish basket, strainer, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
The resulting pieces, known for their refined finish, durability, and the distinctive warmth of Nemagari bamboo, remain beloved in daily life even today.
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.
In Togakushi, Nagano Prefecture, four types of Nemagari bamboo crafts are considered representative: the strainer, fish basket, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
This is one of them—the dish basket. In the region, it is also known as a chabon basket.
Chabon refers to a tray used for serving tea utensils, but this version, made from Nemagari bamboo, is shaped like a shallow basket with slightly raised edges.
We are often asked whether this can be used as a “draining basket.” However, due to its natural material and construction, keeping it wet may cause mold or deterioration over time, so we do not recommend using it for draining dishes.
Instead, we recommend using it for well-wiped or thoroughly drained dishes to let them finish drying, or as a basket for storing clean, dry tableware upside down.
This page introduces four basic styles of the chabon baskets from the Togakushi area.
In the photo, the left side shows the round type in medium and large, and the right side shows the oval type in medium and large.Here, the large round and large oval baskets are placed side by side. The round type gives a slightly more spacious impression.The basic construction of the baskets is nearly the same for all types.The body of each basket is woven in the traditional mutsume-ami, with additional strips crossed between the main pattern—a technique often used in the Togakushi area.The rim is wrapped to match the weave pattern, and Nemagari bamboo is used for all the core materials.You can see that the rim wrapping passes through every intersection of the weave.All four types share the same rim finish.The bottom is woven in a simple mutsume-ami hexagonal pattern, which gives a clean and light impression different from the basket’s body.Two reinforcing strips of bamboo are inserted in a cross under the base to support the bottom. Depending on the craftsman or material, these may be placed vertically or in a cross pattern. Which type you receive will depend on the timing of production, and we appreciate your understanding.With its slightly elevated base, this basket maintains good ventilation and is ideal not only for dishes but also for storing fruits or vegetables.As a finishing step, the craftsman lightly singes any fine splinters of bamboo, which may leave small scorch marks as shown in the photos. These are not defects, but part of the hand-finishing process.Next, let us look at each size.First, the medium round type.Here, the medium round basket holds a spouted bowl, two small plates, and a sake cup.This is the large round type.The large round basket contains two sets of rice bowls, soup bowls, glasses, and chopsticks. If stacked carefully, it could hold one or two more sets.This is the medium oval type.The medium oval basket holds a small cup, a tea strainer, and tea leaves—arranged here as a tea set.This is the large oval type.The large oval basket holds two sets of rice bowls, soup bowls, medium plates, and chopsticks.
It can be used in many ways—as a tea set tray, snack basket, or fruit basket.
Photo: Oval – Medium size
All types feature a fine and even weave, beautiful in appearance and sturdily made with broad bamboo strips.
Both sizes are practical and not too large—easy to incorporate into modern daily life.
Please choose the shape and size that best suit your needs.
__Nemagari Bamboo Crafts of Togakushi, Nagano__
The tradition began in the early Edo period and continues today as a source of livelihood for the people of the Chūsha district in Togakushi. Because Togakushi has little flat land and no rice fields, bamboo became deeply connected with daily life— it was even recognized as a form of tax payment under special provisions.
From the Meiji era to the mid-Showa period, as sericulture (silkworm farming) flourished, the demand for silkworm baskets increased, and both production and the number of craftsmen reached their peak.
The harvesting of materials is carried out under a system in which craftsmen borrow rights to cut bamboo from national forests. To protect this precious resource, members of the bamboo craft association take turns serving as “takenoko guards” during the spring bamboo shoot season to prevent overharvesting.
The harvested nemagari bamboo is polished, split into quarters, and separated into outer skin and inner core to create fine strips for weaving. Among these crafts, four are considered the most representative: the fish basket, strainer, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
The resulting pieces, known for their refined finish, durability, and the distinctive warmth of Nemagari bamboo, remain beloved in daily life even today.
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.
