In Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, there is one shop that continues to make baskets using inawa—twisted cords made from igusa rush. The ikago (handbag made from inawa cords) was once commonly produced throughout the Kurashiki area, but today, this is the only shop that still makes them.
The current craftsman inherited the work from his grandmother. He has been involved in ikago making since his youth, and while respecting the traditional methods and finishes, he creates his work with a free and flexible sensibility.
Each piece is designed so that anyone—regardless of gender or age—can enjoy using it.
The ikago was originally known as “yami-kago” (baskets carried when going to the yami-ichi, or black markets), and from around the 1940s to the 1960s, it was used as an everyday shopping basket.
This bag is an arranged version of the ikago, featuring beige leather handles and a shoulder strap—making it a 2-way design.
It comes in two sizes: large and medium.The basket body is made by placing each inawa (cords of twisted igusa) onto a special wooden loom and weaving them into a flat sheet of fabric. The woven sheet is then cut to size and hand-finished into its final form.The weave is a regular checker pattern of single vertical and horizontal cords. Although the bag is generously sized, the open pattern gives it a light, airy look.When viewed from above with the bag open, the base is not particularly wide but the depth provides ample capacity.For both sizes, the rim is tightly and precisely woven by hand.The basket and the leather handles are securely attached with two metal fittings on each side.The shoulder strap is also connected to the basket with metal fittings on both sides. There is a buckle like those used on belts, allowing you to adjust the strap length.The handles are made from thick, wide leather. They may feel firm at first but gradually become more supple with use.For added strength, the bottom is woven with three horizontal inawa cords, and the inner corners are reinforced by joining the bottom and sides with small triangular folds.The shoulder strap has a wider section at the top to rest comfortably on the shoulder, helping reduce pressure even when the bag is filled.This is the medium size.Because ikago is made from a soft, flexible material, it can be gently flattened or slightly expanded depending on how it’s used.It holds more than it appears, and some users have noted that the contents are less visible than expected.There are many ways to carry it, depending on the occasion.For women or those with smaller builds, it works well as a large shoulder bag. For men or those with larger builds, it can be carried comfortably by hand or over the shoulder.It can also be worn diagonally across the body.
The beige handles make a lovely accent. Most natural-material basket bags are handheld, but this one includes a shoulder strap— so when you want to walk briskly, you can carry it on your shoulder and keep your hands free.
When newly made, the basket feels firm and crisp, but with use it becomes more supple, and the fresh green color of the igusa gradually deepens into warm brown tones over time. Please enjoy the changing expressions of the material as it accompanies you through the years. It also carries the gentle, refreshing scent of natural igusa.
Please choose the size that best fits your lifestyle.
__Ikago Making in Kurashiki__
The ikago is made from igusa rush, the same plant used for tatami mats. Several stalks of igusa are twisted together to form a single cord called inawa, and the ikago is created by weaving these cords on a special loom, then finishing it by hand.
Igusa is a plant that grows naturally in wetlands. On rainy or humid days, when the moisture in the air is high, the condition of the igusa becomes ideal, making it easier to work with. In contrast, on dry days, the igusa becomes brittle and snaps easily, so production must always be adjusted according to the weather. It is a type of basket well suited to Japan’s humid climate.
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 Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, there is one shop that continues to make baskets using inawa—twisted cords made from igusa rush. The ikago (handbag made from inawa cords) was once commonly produced throughout the Kurashiki area, but today, this is the only shop that still makes them.
The current craftsman inherited the work from his grandmother. He has been involved in ikago making since his youth, and while respecting the traditional methods and finishes, he creates his work with a free and flexible sensibility.
Each piece is designed so that anyone—regardless of gender or age—can enjoy using it.
The ikago was originally known as “yami-kago” (baskets carried when going to the yami-ichi, or black markets), and from around the 1940s to the 1960s, it was used as an everyday shopping basket.
This bag is an arranged version of the ikago, featuring beige leather handles and a shoulder strap—making it a 2-way design.
It comes in two sizes: large and medium.The basket body is made by placing each inawa (cords of twisted igusa) onto a special wooden loom and weaving them into a flat sheet of fabric. The woven sheet is then cut to size and hand-finished into its final form.The weave is a regular checker pattern of single vertical and horizontal cords. Although the bag is generously sized, the open pattern gives it a light, airy look.When viewed from above with the bag open, the base is not particularly wide but the depth provides ample capacity.For both sizes, the rim is tightly and precisely woven by hand.The basket and the leather handles are securely attached with two metal fittings on each side.The shoulder strap is also connected to the basket with metal fittings on both sides. There is a buckle like those used on belts, allowing you to adjust the strap length.The handles are made from thick, wide leather. They may feel firm at first but gradually become more supple with use.For added strength, the bottom is woven with three horizontal inawa cords, and the inner corners are reinforced by joining the bottom and sides with small triangular folds.The shoulder strap has a wider section at the top to rest comfortably on the shoulder, helping reduce pressure even when the bag is filled.This is the medium size.Because ikago is made from a soft, flexible material, it can be gently flattened or slightly expanded depending on how it’s used.It holds more than it appears, and some users have noted that the contents are less visible than expected.There are many ways to carry it, depending on the occasion.For women or those with smaller builds, it works well as a large shoulder bag. For men or those with larger builds, it can be carried comfortably by hand or over the shoulder.It can also be worn diagonally across the body.
The beige handles make a lovely accent. Most natural-material basket bags are handheld, but this one includes a shoulder strap— so when you want to walk briskly, you can carry it on your shoulder and keep your hands free.
When newly made, the basket feels firm and crisp, but with use it becomes more supple, and the fresh green color of the igusa gradually deepens into warm brown tones over time. Please enjoy the changing expressions of the material as it accompanies you through the years. It also carries the gentle, refreshing scent of natural igusa.
Please choose the size that best fits your lifestyle.
__Ikago Making in Kurashiki__
The ikago is made from igusa rush, the same plant used for tatami mats. Several stalks of igusa are twisted together to form a single cord called inawa, and the ikago is created by weaving these cords on a special loom, then finishing it by hand.
Igusa is a plant that grows naturally in wetlands. On rainy or humid days, when the moisture in the air is high, the condition of the igusa becomes ideal, making it easier to work with. In contrast, on dry days, the igusa becomes brittle and snaps easily, so production must always be adjusted according to the weather. It is a type of basket well suited to Japan’s humid climate.
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 Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, there is one shop that continues to make baskets using inawa—twisted cords made from igusa rush. The ikago (handbag made from inawa cords) was once commonly produced throughout the Kurashiki area, but today, this is the only shop that still makes them.
The current craftsman inherited the work from his grandmother. He has been involved in ikago making since his youth, and while respecting the traditional methods and finishes, he creates his work with a free and flexible sensibility.
Each piece is designed so that anyone—regardless of gender or age—can enjoy using it.
The ikago was originally known as “yami-kago” (baskets carried when going to the yami-ichi, or black markets), and from around the 1940s to the 1960s, it was used as an everyday shopping basket.
This bag is an arranged version of the ikago, featuring beige leather handles and a shoulder strap—making it a 2-way design.
It comes in two sizes: large and medium.The basket body is made by placing each inawa (cords of twisted igusa) onto a special wooden loom and weaving them into a flat sheet of fabric. The woven sheet is then cut to size and hand-finished into its final form.The weave is a regular checker pattern of single vertical and horizontal cords. Although the bag is generously sized, the open pattern gives it a light, airy look.When viewed from above with the bag open, the base is not particularly wide but the depth provides ample capacity.For both sizes, the rim is tightly and precisely woven by hand.The basket and the leather handles are securely attached with two metal fittings on each side.The shoulder strap is also connected to the basket with metal fittings on both sides. There is a buckle like those used on belts, allowing you to adjust the strap length.The handles are made from thick, wide leather. They may feel firm at first but gradually become more supple with use.For added strength, the bottom is woven with three horizontal inawa cords, and the inner corners are reinforced by joining the bottom and sides with small triangular folds.The shoulder strap has a wider section at the top to rest comfortably on the shoulder, helping reduce pressure even when the bag is filled.This is the medium size.Because ikago is made from a soft, flexible material, it can be gently flattened or slightly expanded depending on how it’s used.It holds more than it appears, and some users have noted that the contents are less visible than expected.There are many ways to carry it, depending on the occasion.For women or those with smaller builds, it works well as a large shoulder bag. For men or those with larger builds, it can be carried comfortably by hand or over the shoulder.It can also be worn diagonally across the body.
The beige handles make a lovely accent. Most natural-material basket bags are handheld, but this one includes a shoulder strap— so when you want to walk briskly, you can carry it on your shoulder and keep your hands free.
When newly made, the basket feels firm and crisp, but with use it becomes more supple, and the fresh green color of the igusa gradually deepens into warm brown tones over time. Please enjoy the changing expressions of the material as it accompanies you through the years. It also carries the gentle, refreshing scent of natural igusa.
Please choose the size that best fits your lifestyle.
__Ikago Making in Kurashiki__
The ikago is made from igusa rush, the same plant used for tatami mats. Several stalks of igusa are twisted together to form a single cord called inawa, and the ikago is created by weaving these cords on a special loom, then finishing it by hand.
Igusa is a plant that grows naturally in wetlands. On rainy or humid days, when the moisture in the air is high, the condition of the igusa becomes ideal, making it easier to work with. In contrast, on dry days, the igusa becomes brittle and snaps easily, so production must always be adjusted according to the weather. It is a type of basket well suited to Japan’s humid climate.
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.
