In Iwadeyama, Osaki City—about 50 kilometers north of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture—it is said that basket and colander making began as a side craft for samurai families during the Edo period. Using shinodake bamboo—a flexible variety of bamboo that grows naturally in the region—they crafted baskets and household tools suited to daily use or professional needs.
At its peak, more than eighty kinds of baskets and colanders were made. However, with the passing of time, both the variety and production have greatly declined. Today, the simple, traditional baskets made entirely from shinodake bamboo—without using madake bamboo for the rims— are now crafted only by a few elderly artisans.
Baskets made from shinodake in Miyagi are known above all for being extremely light and gentle to the touch, making them ideal for everyday kitchen use.
This mekago is characterized by its regularly arranged hexagonal weave. Among these baskets, this type features a finer weave and includes reinforcing bamboo strips woven into the base for added strength and stability.
Baskets like this, with open hexagonal holes, are called mekago or mezaru in Japanese.The open weave allows dirt from vegetables, clams, or other ingredients to slip easily through the gaps.The entire basket is woven using the mutsume-ami technique, a hexagonal weaving method forming a precise, geometric pattern. The openings of the weave measure about 0.31″ across.The strips are uniform in width and thickness, and the hexagonal pattern is beautifully aligned,The rim is made by wrapping shinodake around a core of the same material.The color and texture of shinodake from Miyagi differ subtly from those of bamboo crafts made in other regions.The base is hexagonal, and reinforcing bamboo strips run from the center toward each vertex. These strips help maintain the basket’s shape, keeping it firm and stable without distortion.
As the name suggests, this type of basket was originally used for washing beans. Although there are many kinds and sizes of beans, the size of the weave here suits relatively larger beans among them.
In the production area, there used to be other types of mekago made for washing mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and shellfish, showing how finely baskets and colanders were specialized for different household uses. These variations reveal how craftspeople once created each basket thoughtfully, so that people could live their daily lives more comfortably.
Bamboo work made from shinodake in Miyagi is known for its soft texture and fine strips, making it different from other regional bamboo crafts. These baskets are not meant for carrying heavy items, so please take care when placing water-heavy fruits or other items inside.
Light and flexible, these mekago baskets let you fully appreciate the soft texture and natural feel of shinodake. After washing, we recommend hanging it on an S-shaped hook to dry.
Among the traditional shinodake bamboo crafts of Miyagi, this basket stands out for its distinctive name and beautiful, refined finish. Some people use it as a fruit basket or as a stand for inverted cups, assuming it remains stationary and is not used for carrying heavy items.
Though opportunities to wash beans may be fewer today, this basket remains useful as a colander or multipurpose basket for everyday kitchen use.
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 Iwadeyama, Osaki City—about 50 kilometers north of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture—it is said that basket and colander making began as a side craft for samurai families during the Edo period. Using shinodake bamboo—a flexible variety of bamboo that grows naturally in the region—they crafted baskets and household tools suited to daily use or professional needs.
At its peak, more than eighty kinds of baskets and colanders were made. However, with the passing of time, both the variety and production have greatly declined. Today, the simple, traditional baskets made entirely from shinodake bamboo—without using madake bamboo for the rims— are now crafted only by a few elderly artisans.
Baskets made from shinodake in Miyagi are known above all for being extremely light and gentle to the touch, making them ideal for everyday kitchen use.
This mekago is characterized by its regularly arranged hexagonal weave. Among these baskets, this type features a finer weave and includes reinforcing bamboo strips woven into the base for added strength and stability.
Baskets like this, with open hexagonal holes, are called mekago or mezaru in Japanese.The open weave allows dirt from vegetables, clams, or other ingredients to slip easily through the gaps.The entire basket is woven using the mutsume-ami technique, a hexagonal weaving method forming a precise, geometric pattern. The openings of the weave measure about 0.31″ across.The strips are uniform in width and thickness, and the hexagonal pattern is beautifully aligned,The rim is made by wrapping shinodake around a core of the same material.The color and texture of shinodake from Miyagi differ subtly from those of bamboo crafts made in other regions.The base is hexagonal, and reinforcing bamboo strips run from the center toward each vertex. These strips help maintain the basket’s shape, keeping it firm and stable without distortion.
As the name suggests, this type of basket was originally used for washing beans. Although there are many kinds and sizes of beans, the size of the weave here suits relatively larger beans among them.
In the production area, there used to be other types of mekago made for washing mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and shellfish, showing how finely baskets and colanders were specialized for different household uses. These variations reveal how craftspeople once created each basket thoughtfully, so that people could live their daily lives more comfortably.
Bamboo work made from shinodake in Miyagi is known for its soft texture and fine strips, making it different from other regional bamboo crafts. These baskets are not meant for carrying heavy items, so please take care when placing water-heavy fruits or other items inside.
Light and flexible, these mekago baskets let you fully appreciate the soft texture and natural feel of shinodake. After washing, we recommend hanging it on an S-shaped hook to dry.
Among the traditional shinodake bamboo crafts of Miyagi, this basket stands out for its distinctive name and beautiful, refined finish. Some people use it as a fruit basket or as a stand for inverted cups, assuming it remains stationary and is not used for carrying heavy items.
Though opportunities to wash beans may be fewer today, this basket remains useful as a colander or multipurpose basket for everyday kitchen use.
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 Iwadeyama, Osaki City—about 50 kilometers north of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture—it is said that basket and colander making began as a side craft for samurai families during the Edo period. Using shinodake bamboo—a flexible variety of bamboo that grows naturally in the region—they crafted baskets and household tools suited to daily use or professional needs.
At its peak, more than eighty kinds of baskets and colanders were made. However, with the passing of time, both the variety and production have greatly declined. Today, the simple, traditional baskets made entirely from shinodake bamboo—without using madake bamboo for the rims— are now crafted only by a few elderly artisans.
Baskets made from shinodake in Miyagi are known above all for being extremely light and gentle to the touch, making them ideal for everyday kitchen use.
This mekago is characterized by its regularly arranged hexagonal weave. Among these baskets, this type features a finer weave and includes reinforcing bamboo strips woven into the base for added strength and stability.
Baskets like this, with open hexagonal holes, are called mekago or mezaru in Japanese.The open weave allows dirt from vegetables, clams, or other ingredients to slip easily through the gaps.The entire basket is woven using the mutsume-ami technique, a hexagonal weaving method forming a precise, geometric pattern. The openings of the weave measure about 0.31″ across.The strips are uniform in width and thickness, and the hexagonal pattern is beautifully aligned,The rim is made by wrapping shinodake around a core of the same material.The color and texture of shinodake from Miyagi differ subtly from those of bamboo crafts made in other regions.The base is hexagonal, and reinforcing bamboo strips run from the center toward each vertex. These strips help maintain the basket’s shape, keeping it firm and stable without distortion.
As the name suggests, this type of basket was originally used for washing beans. Although there are many kinds and sizes of beans, the size of the weave here suits relatively larger beans among them.
In the production area, there used to be other types of mekago made for washing mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and shellfish, showing how finely baskets and colanders were specialized for different household uses. These variations reveal how craftspeople once created each basket thoughtfully, so that people could live their daily lives more comfortably.
Bamboo work made from shinodake in Miyagi is known for its soft texture and fine strips, making it different from other regional bamboo crafts. These baskets are not meant for carrying heavy items, so please take care when placing water-heavy fruits or other items inside.
Light and flexible, these mekago baskets let you fully appreciate the soft texture and natural feel of shinodake. After washing, we recommend hanging it on an S-shaped hook to dry.
Among the traditional shinodake bamboo crafts of Miyagi, this basket stands out for its distinctive name and beautiful, refined finish. Some people use it as a fruit basket or as a stand for inverted cups, assuming it remains stationary and is not used for carrying heavy items.
Though opportunities to wash beans may be fewer today, this basket remains useful as a colander or multipurpose basket for everyday kitchen use.
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.
