This basket is woven from the bark of Sawagurumi (sawa = stream, gurumi = walnut), a walnut tree native to Japan.
The bark is harvested at its best between spring and the rainy season, when it holds plenty of moisture and can be peeled smoothly.
As its name suggests, the Sawagurumi grows naturally along shallow mountain streams and rivers.
Unlike Yamagurumi (yama = mountain, gurumi = walnut), which grows higher up in the mountains, its nuts are not edible but are carried away by the flow of nearby streams, helping the tree spread its seeds downstream.
For basket making, young trees of Sawagurumi that are about two to three years old are used.The Sawagurumi grows naturally in clusters, with several trunks sprouting from a single base.From there, the trunks branch out gracefully into many smaller limbs.Not all of the trunks are cut; only two or three are carefully selected and harvested.Freshly cut bark glows with a silvery sheen under the sunlight.A shallow cut is made along the trunk, and the bark is peeled away from the core. This is freshly peeled Sawagurumi bark—its inner surface shows a soft cream color right after harvesting, but it gradually deepens into a rich, dark brown over time.The peeled cores are returned to the mountain, where they decompose softly within a year and become part of the soil again.Here is a piece of bark some time after peeling—the inner surface has started to turn a warm brown, and its color will continue to deepen from here.
Here, we introduce four variations of baskets made from walnut bark, woven in the Ichimatsu-ami pattern: two sizes—small and medium—and two tones—light and dark.
This is the light type, with the lighter brown surface of the walnut bark facing outward.This one is the dark type, where the deeper, dark brown side of the bark faces outward. The pale cream tone seen just after harvesting slowly transforms into this deep color over time—almost mystical to witness.The rim is also woven with the lighter outer bark, giving it a gentle, warm finish.Just below the rim, two fine stitches of the same bark run through, adding a subtle accent.Here is a view of the rim seen from inside the basket.And here is the inner bark pattern.The dark type also has fine stitches running beneath the rim.Seen from the inside, the contrast between the deep brown and the soft light brown is striking.This is the underside of the basket—the bottom is also finished in the Ichimatsu-ami.The wide strips used for weaving bring out the texture of the bark beautifully, letting you fully enjoy its natural character.The small size is woven with narrower strips than the medium, creating a slightly different impression even with the same weave. The regular, even pattern of the weave is mesmerizing to look at—you could gaze at it for a long time without growing tired.This version has been slightly updated from the previous one—the rim now contains a bamboo core for reinforcement.As a result, the rim is sturdier and more durable than before. Now, let’s look at each size and type.This is the small size in the light tone.The light type has a matte texture and a refreshing light tone.Although small, it has a good depth, allowing you to store more than you might expect.Here, it’s used as a container for snacks.This is the small size in the dark tone.It features a calm, dark color with a slight natural sheen.It would make a lovely organizer for stationery or small tools.This is the medium size in the light tone.The natural character of the tree and the matte texture of the outer bark are both appealing.The basket is wider and slightly shallower than the small size.It looks beautiful simply placed on a shelf—its quiet presence and texture add warmth to the space.This is the medium size in the dark tone.The medium size easily holds A4 documents, making it ideal as a tray or organizer for papers and files.
The small size works well as a basket for placing tea sets or tableware upside down to dry. It can also be used to store dry foods, canned goods, tools, or stationery.
The medium size is perfect for holding placemats, scarves, and other fabric items. It can also be placed beside a sofa or chair to keep magazines and books you’re reading within easy reach.
It’s also practical for organizing documents while working from home.
Although the material has been carefully treated, if you plan to store towels or clothing, it’s best to place a piece of cloth inside to prevent snagging.
The wide strips of walnut bark reveal the natural texture beautifully. Because the material has been properly processed, the surface feels smooth and pleasant to the touch—never rough or harsh. Its simple, grounded character blends effortlessly into any space, whether Japanese or Western.
Bring your nose close, and you can even enjoy the gentle, nutty fragrance of the walnut. Please choose your preferred type from the selection.
__Original and distinctive bark craft from Iwate__
In this land blessed with abundant nature, craftspeople work with walnut bark and wild grapevine, creating baskets and objects rich in character.
Their creations vary in design and dimensions, always delighting us with their individuality and sense of balance.
They walk through the mountains of Iwate to select and harvest the finest materials by hand. By carefully preparing each piece of bark before weaving, and by maintaining a thoughtful, original approach to design, their work stands apart in every respect.
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 basket is woven from the bark of Sawagurumi (sawa = stream, gurumi = walnut), a walnut tree native to Japan.
The bark is harvested at its best between spring and the rainy season, when it holds plenty of moisture and can be peeled smoothly.
As its name suggests, the Sawagurumi grows naturally along shallow mountain streams and rivers.
Unlike Yamagurumi (yama = mountain, gurumi = walnut), which grows higher up in the mountains, its nuts are not edible but are carried away by the flow of nearby streams, helping the tree spread its seeds downstream.
For basket making, young trees of Sawagurumi that are about two to three years old are used.The Sawagurumi grows naturally in clusters, with several trunks sprouting from a single base.From there, the trunks branch out gracefully into many smaller limbs.Not all of the trunks are cut; only two or three are carefully selected and harvested.Freshly cut bark glows with a silvery sheen under the sunlight.A shallow cut is made along the trunk, and the bark is peeled away from the core. This is freshly peeled Sawagurumi bark—its inner surface shows a soft cream color right after harvesting, but it gradually deepens into a rich, dark brown over time.The peeled cores are returned to the mountain, where they decompose softly within a year and become part of the soil again.Here is a piece of bark some time after peeling—the inner surface has started to turn a warm brown, and its color will continue to deepen from here.
Here, we introduce four variations of baskets made from walnut bark, woven in the Ichimatsu-ami pattern: two sizes—small and medium—and two tones—light and dark.
This is the light type, with the lighter brown surface of the walnut bark facing outward.This one is the dark type, where the deeper, dark brown side of the bark faces outward. The pale cream tone seen just after harvesting slowly transforms into this deep color over time—almost mystical to witness.The rim is also woven with the lighter outer bark, giving it a gentle, warm finish.Just below the rim, two fine stitches of the same bark run through, adding a subtle accent.Here is a view of the rim seen from inside the basket.And here is the inner bark pattern.The dark type also has fine stitches running beneath the rim.Seen from the inside, the contrast between the deep brown and the soft light brown is striking.This is the underside of the basket—the bottom is also finished in the Ichimatsu-ami.The wide strips used for weaving bring out the texture of the bark beautifully, letting you fully enjoy its natural character.The small size is woven with narrower strips than the medium, creating a slightly different impression even with the same weave. The regular, even pattern of the weave is mesmerizing to look at—you could gaze at it for a long time without growing tired.This version has been slightly updated from the previous one—the rim now contains a bamboo core for reinforcement.As a result, the rim is sturdier and more durable than before. Now, let’s look at each size and type.This is the small size in the light tone.The light type has a matte texture and a refreshing light tone.Although small, it has a good depth, allowing you to store more than you might expect.Here, it’s used as a container for snacks.This is the small size in the dark tone.It features a calm, dark color with a slight natural sheen.It would make a lovely organizer for stationery or small tools.This is the medium size in the light tone.The natural character of the tree and the matte texture of the outer bark are both appealing.The basket is wider and slightly shallower than the small size.It looks beautiful simply placed on a shelf—its quiet presence and texture add warmth to the space.This is the medium size in the dark tone.The medium size easily holds A4 documents, making it ideal as a tray or organizer for papers and files.
The small size works well as a basket for placing tea sets or tableware upside down to dry. It can also be used to store dry foods, canned goods, tools, or stationery.
The medium size is perfect for holding placemats, scarves, and other fabric items. It can also be placed beside a sofa or chair to keep magazines and books you’re reading within easy reach.
It’s also practical for organizing documents while working from home.
Although the material has been carefully treated, if you plan to store towels or clothing, it’s best to place a piece of cloth inside to prevent snagging.
The wide strips of walnut bark reveal the natural texture beautifully. Because the material has been properly processed, the surface feels smooth and pleasant to the touch—never rough or harsh. Its simple, grounded character blends effortlessly into any space, whether Japanese or Western.
Bring your nose close, and you can even enjoy the gentle, nutty fragrance of the walnut. Please choose your preferred type from the selection.
__Original and distinctive bark craft from Iwate__
In this land blessed with abundant nature, craftspeople work with walnut bark and wild grapevine, creating baskets and objects rich in character.
Their creations vary in design and dimensions, always delighting us with their individuality and sense of balance.
They walk through the mountains of Iwate to select and harvest the finest materials by hand. By carefully preparing each piece of bark before weaving, and by maintaining a thoughtful, original approach to design, their work stands apart in every respect.
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 basket is woven from the bark of Sawagurumi (sawa = stream, gurumi = walnut), a walnut tree native to Japan.
The bark is harvested at its best between spring and the rainy season, when it holds plenty of moisture and can be peeled smoothly.
As its name suggests, the Sawagurumi grows naturally along shallow mountain streams and rivers.
Unlike Yamagurumi (yama = mountain, gurumi = walnut), which grows higher up in the mountains, its nuts are not edible but are carried away by the flow of nearby streams, helping the tree spread its seeds downstream.
For basket making, young trees of Sawagurumi that are about two to three years old are used.The Sawagurumi grows naturally in clusters, with several trunks sprouting from a single base.From there, the trunks branch out gracefully into many smaller limbs.Not all of the trunks are cut; only two or three are carefully selected and harvested.Freshly cut bark glows with a silvery sheen under the sunlight.A shallow cut is made along the trunk, and the bark is peeled away from the core. This is freshly peeled Sawagurumi bark—its inner surface shows a soft cream color right after harvesting, but it gradually deepens into a rich, dark brown over time.The peeled cores are returned to the mountain, where they decompose softly within a year and become part of the soil again.Here is a piece of bark some time after peeling—the inner surface has started to turn a warm brown, and its color will continue to deepen from here.
Here, we introduce four variations of baskets made from walnut bark, woven in the Ichimatsu-ami pattern: two sizes—small and medium—and two tones—light and dark.
This is the light type, with the lighter brown surface of the walnut bark facing outward.This one is the dark type, where the deeper, dark brown side of the bark faces outward. The pale cream tone seen just after harvesting slowly transforms into this deep color over time—almost mystical to witness.The rim is also woven with the lighter outer bark, giving it a gentle, warm finish.Just below the rim, two fine stitches of the same bark run through, adding a subtle accent.Here is a view of the rim seen from inside the basket.And here is the inner bark pattern.The dark type also has fine stitches running beneath the rim.Seen from the inside, the contrast between the deep brown and the soft light brown is striking.This is the underside of the basket—the bottom is also finished in the Ichimatsu-ami.The wide strips used for weaving bring out the texture of the bark beautifully, letting you fully enjoy its natural character.The small size is woven with narrower strips than the medium, creating a slightly different impression even with the same weave. The regular, even pattern of the weave is mesmerizing to look at—you could gaze at it for a long time without growing tired.This version has been slightly updated from the previous one—the rim now contains a bamboo core for reinforcement.As a result, the rim is sturdier and more durable than before. Now, let’s look at each size and type.This is the small size in the light tone.The light type has a matte texture and a refreshing light tone.Although small, it has a good depth, allowing you to store more than you might expect.Here, it’s used as a container for snacks.This is the small size in the dark tone.It features a calm, dark color with a slight natural sheen.It would make a lovely organizer for stationery or small tools.This is the medium size in the light tone.The natural character of the tree and the matte texture of the outer bark are both appealing.The basket is wider and slightly shallower than the small size.It looks beautiful simply placed on a shelf—its quiet presence and texture add warmth to the space.This is the medium size in the dark tone.The medium size easily holds A4 documents, making it ideal as a tray or organizer for papers and files.
The small size works well as a basket for placing tea sets or tableware upside down to dry. It can also be used to store dry foods, canned goods, tools, or stationery.
The medium size is perfect for holding placemats, scarves, and other fabric items. It can also be placed beside a sofa or chair to keep magazines and books you’re reading within easy reach.
It’s also practical for organizing documents while working from home.
Although the material has been carefully treated, if you plan to store towels or clothing, it’s best to place a piece of cloth inside to prevent snagging.
The wide strips of walnut bark reveal the natural texture beautifully. Because the material has been properly processed, the surface feels smooth and pleasant to the touch—never rough or harsh. Its simple, grounded character blends effortlessly into any space, whether Japanese or Western.
Bring your nose close, and you can even enjoy the gentle, nutty fragrance of the walnut. Please choose your preferred type from the selection.
__Original and distinctive bark craft from Iwate__
In this land blessed with abundant nature, craftspeople work with walnut bark and wild grapevine, creating baskets and objects rich in character.
Their creations vary in design and dimensions, always delighting us with their individuality and sense of balance.
They walk through the mountains of Iwate to select and harvest the finest materials by hand. By carefully preparing each piece of bark before weaving, and by maintaining a thoughtful, original approach to design, their work stands apart in every respect.
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.
