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.
This small basket is woven from walnut bark.
Among several variations, one will be selected at random and sent to you. Please note that the type cannot be specified. The examples shown in the photos are for reference only.The peeled bark is split into strips about 0.39″ wide and woven together. The natural character of the mountain-grown bark remains visible in its texture.The weave is loosely spaced, leaving gentle gaps between each strip.Around the rim, the strips are wrapped with small intervals between them.Because each piece is handmade, there may be slight size variations of about 0.39″–0.79″.At times, you may notice small cracks in the strips, but these are natural characteristics of the material—not defects. Each piece is checked carefully, but such marks are not considered damage.This one is woven with the lighter outer bark around the rim and the darker inner bark along the sides.This one is woven using the dark inner bark for both the rim and the sides.In the basket on the right, the short sides feature a checker pattern made by alternating the outer and inner bark.Other variations include randomly mixed patterns of outer and inner bark. Please note that the type you receive may vary depending on timing and stock.
It’s useful for keeping small everyday items such as stationery, eye drops, or ointments neatly together.
This small walnut bark basket has a rounded, charming form. The rich, organic texture of the walnut bark blends naturally into any interior, whether Japanese or Western.
Please note that the type will be chosen at random. We hope you’ll enjoy the surprise when it arrives.
__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.
This small basket is woven from walnut bark.
Among several variations, one will be selected at random and sent to you. Please note that the type cannot be specified. The examples shown in the photos are for reference only.The peeled bark is split into strips about 0.39″ wide and woven together. The natural character of the mountain-grown bark remains visible in its texture.The weave is loosely spaced, leaving gentle gaps between each strip.Around the rim, the strips are wrapped with small intervals between them.Because each piece is handmade, there may be slight size variations of about 0.39″–0.79″.At times, you may notice small cracks in the strips, but these are natural characteristics of the material—not defects. Each piece is checked carefully, but such marks are not considered damage.This one is woven with the lighter outer bark around the rim and the darker inner bark along the sides.This one is woven using the dark inner bark for both the rim and the sides.In the basket on the right, the short sides feature a checker pattern made by alternating the outer and inner bark.Other variations include randomly mixed patterns of outer and inner bark. Please note that the type you receive may vary depending on timing and stock.
It’s useful for keeping small everyday items such as stationery, eye drops, or ointments neatly together.
This small walnut bark basket has a rounded, charming form. The rich, organic texture of the walnut bark blends naturally into any interior, whether Japanese or Western.
Please note that the type will be chosen at random. We hope you’ll enjoy the surprise when it arrives.
__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.
This small basket is woven from walnut bark.
Among several variations, one will be selected at random and sent to you. Please note that the type cannot be specified. The examples shown in the photos are for reference only.The peeled bark is split into strips about 0.39″ wide and woven together. The natural character of the mountain-grown bark remains visible in its texture.The weave is loosely spaced, leaving gentle gaps between each strip.Around the rim, the strips are wrapped with small intervals between them.Because each piece is handmade, there may be slight size variations of about 0.39″–0.79″.At times, you may notice small cracks in the strips, but these are natural characteristics of the material—not defects. Each piece is checked carefully, but such marks are not considered damage.This one is woven with the lighter outer bark around the rim and the darker inner bark along the sides.This one is woven using the dark inner bark for both the rim and the sides.In the basket on the right, the short sides feature a checker pattern made by alternating the outer and inner bark.Other variations include randomly mixed patterns of outer and inner bark. Please note that the type you receive may vary depending on timing and stock.
It’s useful for keeping small everyday items such as stationery, eye drops, or ointments neatly together.
This small walnut bark basket has a rounded, charming form. The rich, organic texture of the walnut bark blends naturally into any interior, whether Japanese or Western.
Please note that the type will be chosen at random. We hope you’ll enjoy the surprise when it arrives.
__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.
