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 Ichimatsu-ami (two-tone Checker pattern): two sizes—small and medium—and two tones—light and dark.
This is the light type, made mainly with the lighter outer surface of the walnut bark.The light type uses the pale outer bark for both the rim and the single line of stitching below it.Here is a view of the rim seen from inside the basket.This is the bottom of the light type. The fresh cream tone seen just after harvesting deepens over time into this warm, rich color—almost mystical to witness.This is the dark type, made mainly with the deep brown inner surface of the bark.The dark type uses the same dark inner bark for the rim and the stitching beneath it.Here is a view from inside the basket—the contrast between the dark brown and soft light tones is striking.This is the bottom of the dark type, where the natural texture of the bark’s surface is beautifully preserved.Here is the underside of the basket. The base is also finished in Ichimatsu-ami.The Ichimatsu-ami, woven with wide strips of walnut bark, allows you to fully appreciate the natural texture of the material.The small size is woven with strips about 0.59″ wide, and the medium size with strips about 0.98″–1.18″ wide. Even with the same Ichimatsu-ami, the difference in strip width gives each basket a distinct impression.This checker pattern is not a tightly packed weave, but slightly open, giving the basket a light and airy look.Now, let’s look at each size and tone.This is the small size in the light tone.It fits comfortably in both hands and has a versatile size for everyday use.The checker pattern adds a quiet accent, giving it a calm and balanced look.This is the small size in the dark tone.It is mainly made with the glossy dark inner bark.As each piece is handmade, slight variations of about 0.39″–0.79″ may occur between the light and dark types.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 medium size has a shallow form and can also be used as a tray.This is the medium size in the dark tone.Again, as each is handmade, slight variations of about 0.39″–0.79″ may occur between the tones.Although both have the same pattern, the placement of the strips changes the appearance of the design—one of the enjoyable aspects of this weave.The medium size easily holds A4 documents, making it practical as an organizer for papers or 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 within easy reach.
It’s also useful for organizing documents while working from home.
Although the material has been carefully treated, if you plan to store towels or clothing, placing a piece of cloth inside will help prevent snagging.
The wide strips of walnut bark bring out the natural texture beautifully. Because the bark is thoroughly prepared, the surface feels smooth and pleasant to the touch—never rough or stiff. Its quiet, grounded presence blends naturally 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 tone and size 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 Ichimatsu-ami (two-tone Checker pattern): two sizes—small and medium—and two tones—light and dark.
This is the light type, made mainly with the lighter outer surface of the walnut bark.The light type uses the pale outer bark for both the rim and the single line of stitching below it.Here is a view of the rim seen from inside the basket.This is the bottom of the light type. The fresh cream tone seen just after harvesting deepens over time into this warm, rich color—almost mystical to witness.This is the dark type, made mainly with the deep brown inner surface of the bark.The dark type uses the same dark inner bark for the rim and the stitching beneath it.Here is a view from inside the basket—the contrast between the dark brown and soft light tones is striking.This is the bottom of the dark type, where the natural texture of the bark’s surface is beautifully preserved.Here is the underside of the basket. The base is also finished in Ichimatsu-ami.The Ichimatsu-ami, woven with wide strips of walnut bark, allows you to fully appreciate the natural texture of the material.The small size is woven with strips about 0.59″ wide, and the medium size with strips about 0.98″–1.18″ wide. Even with the same Ichimatsu-ami, the difference in strip width gives each basket a distinct impression.This checker pattern is not a tightly packed weave, but slightly open, giving the basket a light and airy look.Now, let’s look at each size and tone.This is the small size in the light tone.It fits comfortably in both hands and has a versatile size for everyday use.The checker pattern adds a quiet accent, giving it a calm and balanced look.This is the small size in the dark tone.It is mainly made with the glossy dark inner bark.As each piece is handmade, slight variations of about 0.39″–0.79″ may occur between the light and dark types.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 medium size has a shallow form and can also be used as a tray.This is the medium size in the dark tone.Again, as each is handmade, slight variations of about 0.39″–0.79″ may occur between the tones.Although both have the same pattern, the placement of the strips changes the appearance of the design—one of the enjoyable aspects of this weave.The medium size easily holds A4 documents, making it practical as an organizer for papers or 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 within easy reach.
It’s also useful for organizing documents while working from home.
Although the material has been carefully treated, if you plan to store towels or clothing, placing a piece of cloth inside will help prevent snagging.
The wide strips of walnut bark bring out the natural texture beautifully. Because the bark is thoroughly prepared, the surface feels smooth and pleasant to the touch—never rough or stiff. Its quiet, grounded presence blends naturally 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 tone and size 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 Ichimatsu-ami (two-tone Checker pattern): two sizes—small and medium—and two tones—light and dark.
This is the light type, made mainly with the lighter outer surface of the walnut bark.The light type uses the pale outer bark for both the rim and the single line of stitching below it.Here is a view of the rim seen from inside the basket.This is the bottom of the light type. The fresh cream tone seen just after harvesting deepens over time into this warm, rich color—almost mystical to witness.This is the dark type, made mainly with the deep brown inner surface of the bark.The dark type uses the same dark inner bark for the rim and the stitching beneath it.Here is a view from inside the basket—the contrast between the dark brown and soft light tones is striking.This is the bottom of the dark type, where the natural texture of the bark’s surface is beautifully preserved.Here is the underside of the basket. The base is also finished in Ichimatsu-ami.The Ichimatsu-ami, woven with wide strips of walnut bark, allows you to fully appreciate the natural texture of the material.The small size is woven with strips about 0.59″ wide, and the medium size with strips about 0.98″–1.18″ wide. Even with the same Ichimatsu-ami, the difference in strip width gives each basket a distinct impression.This checker pattern is not a tightly packed weave, but slightly open, giving the basket a light and airy look.Now, let’s look at each size and tone.This is the small size in the light tone.It fits comfortably in both hands and has a versatile size for everyday use.The checker pattern adds a quiet accent, giving it a calm and balanced look.This is the small size in the dark tone.It is mainly made with the glossy dark inner bark.As each piece is handmade, slight variations of about 0.39″–0.79″ may occur between the light and dark types.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 medium size has a shallow form and can also be used as a tray.This is the medium size in the dark tone.Again, as each is handmade, slight variations of about 0.39″–0.79″ may occur between the tones.Although both have the same pattern, the placement of the strips changes the appearance of the design—one of the enjoyable aspects of this weave.The medium size easily holds A4 documents, making it practical as an organizer for papers or 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 within easy reach.
It’s also useful for organizing documents while working from home.
Although the material has been carefully treated, if you plan to store towels or clothing, placing a piece of cloth inside will help prevent snagging.
The wide strips of walnut bark bring out the natural texture beautifully. Because the bark is thoroughly prepared, the surface feels smooth and pleasant to the touch—never rough or stiff. Its quiet, grounded presence blends naturally 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 tone and size 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.
