In Togakushi, Nagano Prefecture, four main types of Nemagari bamboo crafts are considered essential to daily life: the strainer, fish basket, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
This is one of them—the fish basket, which was mainly used for catching or keeping fish.
Nagano Prefecture is home to the Northern and Southern Japanese Alps, and along with these mountains flow many well-known rivers, including the Chikuma River, Kiso River, and Tenryu River. It is said that anglers from all over Japan come to this region to enjoy mountain stream fishing.
Blessed with such abundant rivers and water, Nagano developed its own style of bamboo craft— and among them is this fish basket, available here in two sizes: medium and large.
The material used, Nemagari bamboo (also known as Chishima-zasa), is a slender bamboo that grows naturally in the mountains, reaching about two meters in height. It is found mainly in the snowy mountain regions of northern Honshu and Hokkaido.
The name Nemagari—literally “bent at the root”— comes from its natural form: the bamboo bends near the base. Because it grows at an angle to withstand the weight of heavy snow, the lower part curves as it continues to grow upward.
In Togakushi, craftsmen themselves enter the mountains to harvest Nemagari bamboo, which they then process for use in their bamboo crafts.
As with Togakushi bamboo strainers, different ages of bamboo are used in the fish basket depending on the part of the basket. For example, the horizontal strips forming the body use bamboo that is at least two years old, while the rim is made from younger, first-year bamboo. Because the quality—such as hardness—changes with age, the craftsman carefully considers the bending angle of each strip and selects the most suitable bamboo for each part.
The body of the basket is woven using the gozame-ami technique, in which the vertical strips are paired and the horizontal strips are woven alternately between them.The horizontal strips are made from bamboo that is at least two years old, which has more luster and hardness than younger, first-year bamboo.For the rim, two uncut, rounded pieces of hardened, dried bamboo—also at least two years old—are used as the core.The bamboo used for wrapping the rim is called maki-dake and comes from younger bamboo. It becomes even more flexible after being dried in the sun until it turns a soft yellow.Because maki-dake can only be harvested for about a month each year, the material is carefully passed down from parent to child to ensure a steady supply—some of the bamboo used today was prepared more than sixty years ago.The bottom part also uses bamboo that is at least two years old and is finished in the ikada-zoko style, creating a sturdy and durable base. While some mushroom baskets are made with Madake bamboo, this fish basket is crafted entirely from Nemagari bamboo.The softly rounded form, characteristic of Nagano’s fish baskets, has an endearing charm.In fish baskets, there is often a gentle constriction near the opening, allowing a rope to be tied here so that the basket can be carried at the waist if desired.Occasionally, you may notice darkened areas on the surface of the basket—these are natural stains on the bamboo, which we hope you will appreciate as part of its natural pattern.Now, let us look at each size.This is the medium size.The natural texture of Nemagari bamboo pairs beautifully with the fresh, lively presence of flowers, branches, or greenery.This is the large size.
For mountain stream fishing—catching fish such as yamame, iwana, rainbow trout, or amago— why not enjoy the experience with a tool full of character like this?
It can also be used for arranging flowers or as a storage basket. Some people even use it as a small waste basket.
Simple, efficient, sturdy, and quietly beautiful— this basket carries a sense of rustic charm and lasting appeal.
Please choose the size that best suits 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 main types of Nemagari bamboo crafts are considered essential to daily life: the strainer, fish basket, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
This is one of them—the fish basket, which was mainly used for catching or keeping fish.
Nagano Prefecture is home to the Northern and Southern Japanese Alps, and along with these mountains flow many well-known rivers, including the Chikuma River, Kiso River, and Tenryu River. It is said that anglers from all over Japan come to this region to enjoy mountain stream fishing.
Blessed with such abundant rivers and water, Nagano developed its own style of bamboo craft— and among them is this fish basket, available here in two sizes: medium and large.
The material used, Nemagari bamboo (also known as Chishima-zasa), is a slender bamboo that grows naturally in the mountains, reaching about two meters in height. It is found mainly in the snowy mountain regions of northern Honshu and Hokkaido.
The name Nemagari—literally “bent at the root”— comes from its natural form: the bamboo bends near the base. Because it grows at an angle to withstand the weight of heavy snow, the lower part curves as it continues to grow upward.
In Togakushi, craftsmen themselves enter the mountains to harvest Nemagari bamboo, which they then process for use in their bamboo crafts.
As with Togakushi bamboo strainers, different ages of bamboo are used in the fish basket depending on the part of the basket. For example, the horizontal strips forming the body use bamboo that is at least two years old, while the rim is made from younger, first-year bamboo. Because the quality—such as hardness—changes with age, the craftsman carefully considers the bending angle of each strip and selects the most suitable bamboo for each part.
The body of the basket is woven using the gozame-ami technique, in which the vertical strips are paired and the horizontal strips are woven alternately between them.The horizontal strips are made from bamboo that is at least two years old, which has more luster and hardness than younger, first-year bamboo.For the rim, two uncut, rounded pieces of hardened, dried bamboo—also at least two years old—are used as the core.The bamboo used for wrapping the rim is called maki-dake and comes from younger bamboo. It becomes even more flexible after being dried in the sun until it turns a soft yellow.Because maki-dake can only be harvested for about a month each year, the material is carefully passed down from parent to child to ensure a steady supply—some of the bamboo used today was prepared more than sixty years ago.The bottom part also uses bamboo that is at least two years old and is finished in the ikada-zoko style, creating a sturdy and durable base. While some mushroom baskets are made with Madake bamboo, this fish basket is crafted entirely from Nemagari bamboo.The softly rounded form, characteristic of Nagano’s fish baskets, has an endearing charm.In fish baskets, there is often a gentle constriction near the opening, allowing a rope to be tied here so that the basket can be carried at the waist if desired.Occasionally, you may notice darkened areas on the surface of the basket—these are natural stains on the bamboo, which we hope you will appreciate as part of its natural pattern.Now, let us look at each size.This is the medium size.The natural texture of Nemagari bamboo pairs beautifully with the fresh, lively presence of flowers, branches, or greenery.This is the large size.
For mountain stream fishing—catching fish such as yamame, iwana, rainbow trout, or amago— why not enjoy the experience with a tool full of character like this?
It can also be used for arranging flowers or as a storage basket. Some people even use it as a small waste basket.
Simple, efficient, sturdy, and quietly beautiful— this basket carries a sense of rustic charm and lasting appeal.
Please choose the size that best suits 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 main types of Nemagari bamboo crafts are considered essential to daily life: the strainer, fish basket, dish basket, and winnowing basket.
This is one of them—the fish basket, which was mainly used for catching or keeping fish.
Nagano Prefecture is home to the Northern and Southern Japanese Alps, and along with these mountains flow many well-known rivers, including the Chikuma River, Kiso River, and Tenryu River. It is said that anglers from all over Japan come to this region to enjoy mountain stream fishing.
Blessed with such abundant rivers and water, Nagano developed its own style of bamboo craft— and among them is this fish basket, available here in two sizes: medium and large.
The material used, Nemagari bamboo (also known as Chishima-zasa), is a slender bamboo that grows naturally in the mountains, reaching about two meters in height. It is found mainly in the snowy mountain regions of northern Honshu and Hokkaido.
The name Nemagari—literally “bent at the root”— comes from its natural form: the bamboo bends near the base. Because it grows at an angle to withstand the weight of heavy snow, the lower part curves as it continues to grow upward.
In Togakushi, craftsmen themselves enter the mountains to harvest Nemagari bamboo, which they then process for use in their bamboo crafts.
As with Togakushi bamboo strainers, different ages of bamboo are used in the fish basket depending on the part of the basket. For example, the horizontal strips forming the body use bamboo that is at least two years old, while the rim is made from younger, first-year bamboo. Because the quality—such as hardness—changes with age, the craftsman carefully considers the bending angle of each strip and selects the most suitable bamboo for each part.
The body of the basket is woven using the gozame-ami technique, in which the vertical strips are paired and the horizontal strips are woven alternately between them.The horizontal strips are made from bamboo that is at least two years old, which has more luster and hardness than younger, first-year bamboo.For the rim, two uncut, rounded pieces of hardened, dried bamboo—also at least two years old—are used as the core.The bamboo used for wrapping the rim is called maki-dake and comes from younger bamboo. It becomes even more flexible after being dried in the sun until it turns a soft yellow.Because maki-dake can only be harvested for about a month each year, the material is carefully passed down from parent to child to ensure a steady supply—some of the bamboo used today was prepared more than sixty years ago.The bottom part also uses bamboo that is at least two years old and is finished in the ikada-zoko style, creating a sturdy and durable base. While some mushroom baskets are made with Madake bamboo, this fish basket is crafted entirely from Nemagari bamboo.The softly rounded form, characteristic of Nagano’s fish baskets, has an endearing charm.In fish baskets, there is often a gentle constriction near the opening, allowing a rope to be tied here so that the basket can be carried at the waist if desired.Occasionally, you may notice darkened areas on the surface of the basket—these are natural stains on the bamboo, which we hope you will appreciate as part of its natural pattern.Now, let us look at each size.This is the medium size.The natural texture of Nemagari bamboo pairs beautifully with the fresh, lively presence of flowers, branches, or greenery.This is the large size.
For mountain stream fishing—catching fish such as yamame, iwana, rainbow trout, or amago— why not enjoy the experience with a tool full of character like this?
It can also be used for arranging flowers or as a storage basket. Some people even use it as a small waste basket.
Simple, efficient, sturdy, and quietly beautiful— this basket carries a sense of rustic charm and lasting appeal.
Please choose the size that best suits 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.
