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 “deep colander,” a variation belonging to the category of strainers. Flat soba strainers are well known, but this version takes the same technique and raises the sides to create depth.
This added depth makes it especially useful in the kitchen—for draining vegetables in the sink or catching freshly boiled foods.
Simple yet strong, these finely made soba strainers are beloved not only in Nagano, their place of origin, but throughout Japan.
This deeper version, made with the same local craftsmanship, is available in two sizes: medium and large.
Although made entirely from Nemagari bamboo (also known as Chishima-zasa), different ages of bamboo are used depending on the part of the dripper. For example, the central strips use bamboo that is at least two years old, while the surrounding areas are woven with younger, first-year bamboo. Because the quality—such as hardness—changes with age, the craftsman considers the bending angle of each strip and selects the most suitable bamboo for each part.
As with soba strainers, the making of the colander begins with the ajiro-zoko-ami technique at the center. Three bamboo strips are combined as one set for weaving.Unlike soba strainers, however, this one is woven so that the smooth outer skin of the bamboo faces outward.The smooth surface is placed on the outside where the hands naturally touch, giving it a pleasant texture.This shows the weave on the inside. Here, the fibrous inner side of the bamboo faces inward, not the outer skin.This is the rim seen from the outside. The rim is also made entirely of Nemagari bamboo and is tightly wrapped.This is the rim viewed from the inside. Each point is wrapped securely and firmly by hand.Both the medium and large sizes share the same rim construction. While some regions use two different types of bamboo or materials for the body and the rim, these baskets are made entirely from Nemagari bamboo for a unified finish.This is the underside of the basket. Starting with the ajiro-zoko-ami base, the weave spirals outward in a circular pattern. Because the bamboo is cut thick, compared with other regional crafts, the result is a sturdy and durable finish.
Now, let us look at each size.
This is the medium size.It is about the size of an adult’s open hand.This is the large size.Though slightly larger than the medium, it is still easy to handle around the sink or kitchen.The medium and large differ by one size, and they can be nested together for convenient storage.The flared shape, which opens upward, makes it easy to place and remove items, offering excellent usability.Depending on the material, there may be minor bendsor slight fiber separations on the underside, as shown in the photos, but these do not affect use and are not defects.
Made with thick Nemagari bamboo, each piece is solidly crafted with a firm and durable finish.
Perfect for washing vegetables in the kitchen, draining water, or lifting freshly boiled vegetables straight from the pot. It also works well for lifting soba or udon noodles after boiling.
Alternatively, it can be used as a fruit basket—its natural tone enhances the color of the fruits inside.
Sturdy and reliable, this Nemagari bamboo craft will be useful in many corners of your home. Please check the sizes carefully and choose the one 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 “deep colander,” a variation belonging to the category of strainers. Flat soba strainers are well known, but this version takes the same technique and raises the sides to create depth.
This added depth makes it especially useful in the kitchen—for draining vegetables in the sink or catching freshly boiled foods.
Simple yet strong, these finely made soba strainers are beloved not only in Nagano, their place of origin, but throughout Japan.
This deeper version, made with the same local craftsmanship, is available in two sizes: medium and large.
Although made entirely from Nemagari bamboo (also known as Chishima-zasa), different ages of bamboo are used depending on the part of the dripper. For example, the central strips use bamboo that is at least two years old, while the surrounding areas are woven with younger, first-year bamboo. Because the quality—such as hardness—changes with age, the craftsman considers the bending angle of each strip and selects the most suitable bamboo for each part.
As with soba strainers, the making of the colander begins with the ajiro-zoko-ami technique at the center. Three bamboo strips are combined as one set for weaving.Unlike soba strainers, however, this one is woven so that the smooth outer skin of the bamboo faces outward.The smooth surface is placed on the outside where the hands naturally touch, giving it a pleasant texture.This shows the weave on the inside. Here, the fibrous inner side of the bamboo faces inward, not the outer skin.This is the rim seen from the outside. The rim is also made entirely of Nemagari bamboo and is tightly wrapped.This is the rim viewed from the inside. Each point is wrapped securely and firmly by hand.Both the medium and large sizes share the same rim construction. While some regions use two different types of bamboo or materials for the body and the rim, these baskets are made entirely from Nemagari bamboo for a unified finish.This is the underside of the basket. Starting with the ajiro-zoko-ami base, the weave spirals outward in a circular pattern. Because the bamboo is cut thick, compared with other regional crafts, the result is a sturdy and durable finish.
Now, let us look at each size.
This is the medium size.It is about the size of an adult’s open hand.This is the large size.Though slightly larger than the medium, it is still easy to handle around the sink or kitchen.The medium and large differ by one size, and they can be nested together for convenient storage.The flared shape, which opens upward, makes it easy to place and remove items, offering excellent usability.Depending on the material, there may be minor bendsor slight fiber separations on the underside, as shown in the photos, but these do not affect use and are not defects.
Made with thick Nemagari bamboo, each piece is solidly crafted with a firm and durable finish.
Perfect for washing vegetables in the kitchen, draining water, or lifting freshly boiled vegetables straight from the pot. It also works well for lifting soba or udon noodles after boiling.
Alternatively, it can be used as a fruit basket—its natural tone enhances the color of the fruits inside.
Sturdy and reliable, this Nemagari bamboo craft will be useful in many corners of your home. Please check the sizes carefully and choose the one 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 “deep colander,” a variation belonging to the category of strainers. Flat soba strainers are well known, but this version takes the same technique and raises the sides to create depth.
This added depth makes it especially useful in the kitchen—for draining vegetables in the sink or catching freshly boiled foods.
Simple yet strong, these finely made soba strainers are beloved not only in Nagano, their place of origin, but throughout Japan.
This deeper version, made with the same local craftsmanship, is available in two sizes: medium and large.
Although made entirely from Nemagari bamboo (also known as Chishima-zasa), different ages of bamboo are used depending on the part of the dripper. For example, the central strips use bamboo that is at least two years old, while the surrounding areas are woven with younger, first-year bamboo. Because the quality—such as hardness—changes with age, the craftsman considers the bending angle of each strip and selects the most suitable bamboo for each part.
As with soba strainers, the making of the colander begins with the ajiro-zoko-ami technique at the center. Three bamboo strips are combined as one set for weaving.Unlike soba strainers, however, this one is woven so that the smooth outer skin of the bamboo faces outward.The smooth surface is placed on the outside where the hands naturally touch, giving it a pleasant texture.This shows the weave on the inside. Here, the fibrous inner side of the bamboo faces inward, not the outer skin.This is the rim seen from the outside. The rim is also made entirely of Nemagari bamboo and is tightly wrapped.This is the rim viewed from the inside. Each point is wrapped securely and firmly by hand.Both the medium and large sizes share the same rim construction. While some regions use two different types of bamboo or materials for the body and the rim, these baskets are made entirely from Nemagari bamboo for a unified finish.This is the underside of the basket. Starting with the ajiro-zoko-ami base, the weave spirals outward in a circular pattern. Because the bamboo is cut thick, compared with other regional crafts, the result is a sturdy and durable finish.
Now, let us look at each size.
This is the medium size.It is about the size of an adult’s open hand.This is the large size.Though slightly larger than the medium, it is still easy to handle around the sink or kitchen.The medium and large differ by one size, and they can be nested together for convenient storage.The flared shape, which opens upward, makes it easy to place and remove items, offering excellent usability.Depending on the material, there may be minor bendsor slight fiber separations on the underside, as shown in the photos, but these do not affect use and are not defects.
Made with thick Nemagari bamboo, each piece is solidly crafted with a firm and durable finish.
Perfect for washing vegetables in the kitchen, draining water, or lifting freshly boiled vegetables straight from the pot. It also works well for lifting soba or udon noodles after boiling.
Alternatively, it can be used as a fruit basket—its natural tone enhances the color of the fruits inside.
Sturdy and reliable, this Nemagari bamboo craft will be useful in many corners of your home. Please check the sizes carefully and choose the one 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.
