This is the traditional tool called Suinou, used for lifting boiled foods from hot water.
It can be considered a tool unique to Togakushi, a region long known for its soba noodles. In a large soba pot, the Suinou is dipped in with a splash, gathering the noodles gently before lifting them all at once.
Not limited to noodles, it is also ideal for continuously boiling dumplings, vegetables, or other foods without discarding the hot water. With an overall length of over 19.69″, it is a practical, time-tested size that has been used for generations.
The basket section has a solid and generous size.The weave is a mutsume-ami, with hexagon-shaped openings about 0.39″–0.59″ wide.It is woven so that the smooth outer skin of the bamboo faces outward.This is the rim viewed from the outside. Each strip is evenly threaded through the weave and secured without forcing the bamboo.This is the inside view. It is also tightly wrapped using only Nemagari bamboo.Uncut, rounded Nemagari bamboo is used for the rim core. Although rim wrapping is said to be difficult, the strips are wrapped smoothly and securely around the round bamboo core.This shows the transition from the basket to the handle. Heat is applied as needed when bending the Nemagari bamboo.As a result, you may notice occasional brown or black scorch marks, but these are not defects.Here is the handle. Nemagari bamboo is also used to bind the handles together. Although it appears to be two separate pieces, it is actually a single length of bamboo that runs around the rim and returns to form the handle, giving the appearance of two.With a depth of about 2.36″, it can lift a generous amount at once. In keeping with Nagano craftsmanship, the handle, rim, and basket body are all made entirely from Nemagari bamboo.
In the steep mountain region of Togakushi in Nagano, where there were few rice paddies and large-scale rice cultivation was difficult, people filled their stomachs with soba and other grains, and a culture of hospitality through such dishes was born.
One can easily imagine that during family meals or gatherings, a large amount of food would have been boiled at once. At such times, this Suinou—which allows continuous cooking without wasting hot water— must have been an essential tool.
Even with its open weave, this tool can still scoop soba perfectly—a testament to its clever design. The open weave also means that it is light in weight. For a tool used every day, lightness is an important quality.
Today, this tool may no longer be a necessity, but noodles or dumplings boiled in a large pot of water must still taste exceptionally good.
As Suinou making has disappeared in many regions, these baskets have become increasingly rare. We hope you will enjoy using this authentic, full-sized Nemagari bamboo Suinou.
__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.
This is the traditional tool called Suinou, used for lifting boiled foods from hot water.
It can be considered a tool unique to Togakushi, a region long known for its soba noodles. In a large soba pot, the Suinou is dipped in with a splash, gathering the noodles gently before lifting them all at once.
Not limited to noodles, it is also ideal for continuously boiling dumplings, vegetables, or other foods without discarding the hot water. With an overall length of over 19.69″, it is a practical, time-tested size that has been used for generations.
The basket section has a solid and generous size.The weave is a mutsume-ami, with hexagon-shaped openings about 0.39″–0.59″ wide.It is woven so that the smooth outer skin of the bamboo faces outward.This is the rim viewed from the outside. Each strip is evenly threaded through the weave and secured without forcing the bamboo.This is the inside view. It is also tightly wrapped using only Nemagari bamboo.Uncut, rounded Nemagari bamboo is used for the rim core. Although rim wrapping is said to be difficult, the strips are wrapped smoothly and securely around the round bamboo core.This shows the transition from the basket to the handle. Heat is applied as needed when bending the Nemagari bamboo.As a result, you may notice occasional brown or black scorch marks, but these are not defects.Here is the handle. Nemagari bamboo is also used to bind the handles together. Although it appears to be two separate pieces, it is actually a single length of bamboo that runs around the rim and returns to form the handle, giving the appearance of two.With a depth of about 2.36″, it can lift a generous amount at once. In keeping with Nagano craftsmanship, the handle, rim, and basket body are all made entirely from Nemagari bamboo.
In the steep mountain region of Togakushi in Nagano, where there were few rice paddies and large-scale rice cultivation was difficult, people filled their stomachs with soba and other grains, and a culture of hospitality through such dishes was born.
One can easily imagine that during family meals or gatherings, a large amount of food would have been boiled at once. At such times, this Suinou—which allows continuous cooking without wasting hot water— must have been an essential tool.
Even with its open weave, this tool can still scoop soba perfectly—a testament to its clever design. The open weave also means that it is light in weight. For a tool used every day, lightness is an important quality.
Today, this tool may no longer be a necessity, but noodles or dumplings boiled in a large pot of water must still taste exceptionally good.
As Suinou making has disappeared in many regions, these baskets have become increasingly rare. We hope you will enjoy using this authentic, full-sized Nemagari bamboo Suinou.
__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.
This is the traditional tool called Suinou, used for lifting boiled foods from hot water.
It can be considered a tool unique to Togakushi, a region long known for its soba noodles. In a large soba pot, the Suinou is dipped in with a splash, gathering the noodles gently before lifting them all at once.
Not limited to noodles, it is also ideal for continuously boiling dumplings, vegetables, or other foods without discarding the hot water. With an overall length of over 19.69″, it is a practical, time-tested size that has been used for generations.
The basket section has a solid and generous size.The weave is a mutsume-ami, with hexagon-shaped openings about 0.39″–0.59″ wide.It is woven so that the smooth outer skin of the bamboo faces outward.This is the rim viewed from the outside. Each strip is evenly threaded through the weave and secured without forcing the bamboo.This is the inside view. It is also tightly wrapped using only Nemagari bamboo.Uncut, rounded Nemagari bamboo is used for the rim core. Although rim wrapping is said to be difficult, the strips are wrapped smoothly and securely around the round bamboo core.This shows the transition from the basket to the handle. Heat is applied as needed when bending the Nemagari bamboo.As a result, you may notice occasional brown or black scorch marks, but these are not defects.Here is the handle. Nemagari bamboo is also used to bind the handles together. Although it appears to be two separate pieces, it is actually a single length of bamboo that runs around the rim and returns to form the handle, giving the appearance of two.With a depth of about 2.36″, it can lift a generous amount at once. In keeping with Nagano craftsmanship, the handle, rim, and basket body are all made entirely from Nemagari bamboo.
In the steep mountain region of Togakushi in Nagano, where there were few rice paddies and large-scale rice cultivation was difficult, people filled their stomachs with soba and other grains, and a culture of hospitality through such dishes was born.
One can easily imagine that during family meals or gatherings, a large amount of food would have been boiled at once. At such times, this Suinou—which allows continuous cooking without wasting hot water— must have been an essential tool.
Even with its open weave, this tool can still scoop soba perfectly—a testament to its clever design. The open weave also means that it is light in weight. For a tool used every day, lightness is an important quality.
Today, this tool may no longer be a necessity, but noodles or dumplings boiled in a large pot of water must still taste exceptionally good.
As Suinou making has disappeared in many regions, these baskets have become increasingly rare. We hope you will enjoy using this authentic, full-sized Nemagari bamboo Suinou.
__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.
