These are handwoven baskets with handles, made from willow branches.
The maker is François, a master craftsman with over twenty years of experience in basket weaving. He grows, harvests, and works with willow himself. His willow fields span about 0.37 acres, where he keeps nearly 4,400lb of freshly harvested material.
The willow he uses differs from the “weeping willow” often seen in Japan, as it grows upright from the ground like rice stalks, forming clusters of slender stems.
He cultivates mainly 6-7 varieties of willow, selecting the type according to the technique or basket design.
Some have thin or thick branches, others vary in length; some are suitable for use with the bark left on, while others reveal a pale surface when peeled.
Their bark colors range from reddish or bluish tones to deep browns, so even among willows, there are countless subtle differences in form and hue.
By peeling, dyeing, or splitting the branches in half, he creates even greater variation in the material, which can then be processed into many different forms.
Here we introduce the “Oval Outdoor” basket— a design woven with the natural bark left on, featuring softly raised rims on both sides. It comes in two sizes: “S” and “L.”
The main body of the basket is woven by alternating the horizontal branches over and under the vertical ones.The vertical branches are inserted into the pre-made base, then bent upward to form the sides.As willow branches mature, they produce soft, furry catkin buds (similar to pussy willow). The small marks where these buds once grew may sometimes feel slightly rough to the touch—please note that this is natural.Some of the vertical rods are bent sharply at the top—about 90 degrees—and twisted together with others to form the rim.This kind of bending and twisting is possible thanks to the natural flexibility of willow.At the rim, you can see the cut ends of the willow branches used to finish and secure the edge.This is where the rim meets the handle. The wrapping branches cross over one another and are firmly secured to the rim.As seen inside, the construction is solid and stable, ensuring that the basket does not sway or lose shape.The handle is made by twisting a thinner willow branch around a thicker one used as the core, creating a strong, reliable structure.Brown-toned branches are used for the rim and handles, while greenish or reddish ones are used for the side panels, creating a gentle contrast in color. Please note that because each basket is made from natural materials, the color tone may vary slightly from piece to piece.The bottom of the basket is shaped into an oval. Starting from the center, where the vertical and horizontal branches are interlaced, the craftsman weaves thinner branches outward in circular layers, filling the spaces between them.The rim of the basket is also an elegant oval, making it easy to place and remove items.Though the basket is solidly built and sturdy, its gently rounded bottom and upward-curving rims give it a soft and graceful impression.Now, let us introduce each size.This is the S size.This photo shows how the S size looks when held.Although the opening is wide, it is still easy to carry by hand as a tote.It also works well as a storage basket.This is the L size.This photo shows how the L size looks when carried.This basket is large and sturdy, providing ample capacity.Perfect for outings to the sea, park, or forest camp—fill it with plenty of belongings, place it in your car, and take it along for outdoor adventures.It can also serve as a practical storage basket at home.Even when left empty, it has a quiet, natural charm.
Because it can be carried without tilting, it is ideal for transporting lunch boxes, cakes, or other items you want to keep level.
Indoors, it can be used to store condiments or food supplies, or as a storage basket for everyday household items.
It also looks beautiful beside a stove, filled with firewood.
When storing fabrics such as clothes or blankets, we recommend placing a piece of cloth inside as a liner, since the natural bark surface may occasionally catch on delicate materials.
Combining both strength and beauty, this basket, with proper care, can be cherished and used for generations.
Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
François and His Basket Making
In the Dordogne region of southwestern France, François continues his craft of basket weaving. He originally worked as an environmental engineer and had even founded his own company in that field.
His journey into basket making began at the end of the year 2000. While staying with a friend in a rented house, two hurricanes, “Lothar” and “Martin,” suddenly struck Western Europe, destroying everything in their path. Amid the devastation, François began gathering small branches left behind, and out of them, he made his first simple basket— a moment that marked the beginning of his creative journey.
From then on, he became fascinated by basketry. He bought books to study, examined baskets around him as examples, and refined his skills largely through self-teaching.
Whenever he had spare time, he worked with his hands. For François, basket making—using a few simple tools and easily available materials— felt like the work most suited to him. He finds joy in the process itself, even more than in the finished results.
François draws inspiration from traditional French and English baskets. He prefers simple forms and says that, when making a basket, what matters most to him is its “shape.”
The baskets that emerge from his hands are never ostentatious— they embody a sense of harmony and proportion that could be called the golden ratio. With their stable forms, solid structure, and quiet warmth, they reflect both his personality and the gentle nature of his craft.
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.
These are handwoven baskets with handles, made from willow branches.
The maker is François, a master craftsman with over twenty years of experience in basket weaving. He grows, harvests, and works with willow himself. His willow fields span about 0.37 acres, where he keeps nearly 4,400lb of freshly harvested material.
The willow he uses differs from the “weeping willow” often seen in Japan, as it grows upright from the ground like rice stalks, forming clusters of slender stems.
He cultivates mainly 6-7 varieties of willow, selecting the type according to the technique or basket design.
Some have thin or thick branches, others vary in length; some are suitable for use with the bark left on, while others reveal a pale surface when peeled.
Their bark colors range from reddish or bluish tones to deep browns, so even among willows, there are countless subtle differences in form and hue.
By peeling, dyeing, or splitting the branches in half, he creates even greater variation in the material, which can then be processed into many different forms.
Here we introduce the “Oval Outdoor” basket— a design woven with the natural bark left on, featuring softly raised rims on both sides. It comes in two sizes: “S” and “L.”
The main body of the basket is woven by alternating the horizontal branches over and under the vertical ones.The vertical branches are inserted into the pre-made base, then bent upward to form the sides.As willow branches mature, they produce soft, furry catkin buds (similar to pussy willow). The small marks where these buds once grew may sometimes feel slightly rough to the touch—please note that this is natural.Some of the vertical rods are bent sharply at the top—about 90 degrees—and twisted together with others to form the rim.This kind of bending and twisting is possible thanks to the natural flexibility of willow.At the rim, you can see the cut ends of the willow branches used to finish and secure the edge.This is where the rim meets the handle. The wrapping branches cross over one another and are firmly secured to the rim.As seen inside, the construction is solid and stable, ensuring that the basket does not sway or lose shape.The handle is made by twisting a thinner willow branch around a thicker one used as the core, creating a strong, reliable structure.Brown-toned branches are used for the rim and handles, while greenish or reddish ones are used for the side panels, creating a gentle contrast in color. Please note that because each basket is made from natural materials, the color tone may vary slightly from piece to piece.The bottom of the basket is shaped into an oval. Starting from the center, where the vertical and horizontal branches are interlaced, the craftsman weaves thinner branches outward in circular layers, filling the spaces between them.The rim of the basket is also an elegant oval, making it easy to place and remove items.Though the basket is solidly built and sturdy, its gently rounded bottom and upward-curving rims give it a soft and graceful impression.Now, let us introduce each size.This is the S size.This photo shows how the S size looks when held.Although the opening is wide, it is still easy to carry by hand as a tote.It also works well as a storage basket.This is the L size.This photo shows how the L size looks when carried.This basket is large and sturdy, providing ample capacity.Perfect for outings to the sea, park, or forest camp—fill it with plenty of belongings, place it in your car, and take it along for outdoor adventures.It can also serve as a practical storage basket at home.Even when left empty, it has a quiet, natural charm.
Because it can be carried without tilting, it is ideal for transporting lunch boxes, cakes, or other items you want to keep level.
Indoors, it can be used to store condiments or food supplies, or as a storage basket for everyday household items.
It also looks beautiful beside a stove, filled with firewood.
When storing fabrics such as clothes or blankets, we recommend placing a piece of cloth inside as a liner, since the natural bark surface may occasionally catch on delicate materials.
Combining both strength and beauty, this basket, with proper care, can be cherished and used for generations.
Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
François and His Basket Making
In the Dordogne region of southwestern France, François continues his craft of basket weaving. He originally worked as an environmental engineer and had even founded his own company in that field.
His journey into basket making began at the end of the year 2000. While staying with a friend in a rented house, two hurricanes, “Lothar” and “Martin,” suddenly struck Western Europe, destroying everything in their path. Amid the devastation, François began gathering small branches left behind, and out of them, he made his first simple basket— a moment that marked the beginning of his creative journey.
From then on, he became fascinated by basketry. He bought books to study, examined baskets around him as examples, and refined his skills largely through self-teaching.
Whenever he had spare time, he worked with his hands. For François, basket making—using a few simple tools and easily available materials— felt like the work most suited to him. He finds joy in the process itself, even more than in the finished results.
François draws inspiration from traditional French and English baskets. He prefers simple forms and says that, when making a basket, what matters most to him is its “shape.”
The baskets that emerge from his hands are never ostentatious— they embody a sense of harmony and proportion that could be called the golden ratio. With their stable forms, solid structure, and quiet warmth, they reflect both his personality and the gentle nature of his craft.
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.
These are handwoven baskets with handles, made from willow branches.
The maker is François, a master craftsman with over twenty years of experience in basket weaving. He grows, harvests, and works with willow himself. His willow fields span about 0.37 acres, where he keeps nearly 4,400lb of freshly harvested material.
The willow he uses differs from the “weeping willow” often seen in Japan, as it grows upright from the ground like rice stalks, forming clusters of slender stems.
He cultivates mainly 6-7 varieties of willow, selecting the type according to the technique or basket design.
Some have thin or thick branches, others vary in length; some are suitable for use with the bark left on, while others reveal a pale surface when peeled.
Their bark colors range from reddish or bluish tones to deep browns, so even among willows, there are countless subtle differences in form and hue.
By peeling, dyeing, or splitting the branches in half, he creates even greater variation in the material, which can then be processed into many different forms.
Here we introduce the “Oval Outdoor” basket— a design woven with the natural bark left on, featuring softly raised rims on both sides. It comes in two sizes: “S” and “L.”
The main body of the basket is woven by alternating the horizontal branches over and under the vertical ones.The vertical branches are inserted into the pre-made base, then bent upward to form the sides.As willow branches mature, they produce soft, furry catkin buds (similar to pussy willow). The small marks where these buds once grew may sometimes feel slightly rough to the touch—please note that this is natural.Some of the vertical rods are bent sharply at the top—about 90 degrees—and twisted together with others to form the rim.This kind of bending and twisting is possible thanks to the natural flexibility of willow.At the rim, you can see the cut ends of the willow branches used to finish and secure the edge.This is where the rim meets the handle. The wrapping branches cross over one another and are firmly secured to the rim.As seen inside, the construction is solid and stable, ensuring that the basket does not sway or lose shape.The handle is made by twisting a thinner willow branch around a thicker one used as the core, creating a strong, reliable structure.Brown-toned branches are used for the rim and handles, while greenish or reddish ones are used for the side panels, creating a gentle contrast in color. Please note that because each basket is made from natural materials, the color tone may vary slightly from piece to piece.The bottom of the basket is shaped into an oval. Starting from the center, where the vertical and horizontal branches are interlaced, the craftsman weaves thinner branches outward in circular layers, filling the spaces between them.The rim of the basket is also an elegant oval, making it easy to place and remove items.Though the basket is solidly built and sturdy, its gently rounded bottom and upward-curving rims give it a soft and graceful impression.Now, let us introduce each size.This is the S size.This photo shows how the S size looks when held.Although the opening is wide, it is still easy to carry by hand as a tote.It also works well as a storage basket.This is the L size.This photo shows how the L size looks when carried.This basket is large and sturdy, providing ample capacity.Perfect for outings to the sea, park, or forest camp—fill it with plenty of belongings, place it in your car, and take it along for outdoor adventures.It can also serve as a practical storage basket at home.Even when left empty, it has a quiet, natural charm.
Because it can be carried without tilting, it is ideal for transporting lunch boxes, cakes, or other items you want to keep level.
Indoors, it can be used to store condiments or food supplies, or as a storage basket for everyday household items.
It also looks beautiful beside a stove, filled with firewood.
When storing fabrics such as clothes or blankets, we recommend placing a piece of cloth inside as a liner, since the natural bark surface may occasionally catch on delicate materials.
Combining both strength and beauty, this basket, with proper care, can be cherished and used for generations.
Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
François and His Basket Making
In the Dordogne region of southwestern France, François continues his craft of basket weaving. He originally worked as an environmental engineer and had even founded his own company in that field.
His journey into basket making began at the end of the year 2000. While staying with a friend in a rented house, two hurricanes, “Lothar” and “Martin,” suddenly struck Western Europe, destroying everything in their path. Amid the devastation, François began gathering small branches left behind, and out of them, he made his first simple basket— a moment that marked the beginning of his creative journey.
From then on, he became fascinated by basketry. He bought books to study, examined baskets around him as examples, and refined his skills largely through self-teaching.
Whenever he had spare time, he worked with his hands. For François, basket making—using a few simple tools and easily available materials— felt like the work most suited to him. He finds joy in the process itself, even more than in the finished results.
François draws inspiration from traditional French and English baskets. He prefers simple forms and says that, when making a basket, what matters most to him is its “shape.”
The baskets that emerge from his hands are never ostentatious— they embody a sense of harmony and proportion that could be called the golden ratio. With their stable forms, solid structure, and quiet warmth, they reflect both his personality and the gentle nature of his craft.
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.
