This is a handwoven basket with a handle, made from willow bark.


The maker is Benjamin, a basket weaver currently living in Germany. Born and raised in France, he learned the craft from his father, who is also a basket maker, and inherited traditional French basketry techniques.
This form is a traditional basket shape often seen in France, particularly in the western regions.
According to Benjamin, until about two generations ago, farming families in western France—known locally as “Paysans”—used to make several of these finely crafted, practical baskets themselves every winter during the off-farming season.
Such baskets, carefully made over time, were originally used as “potato baskets” to store harvested potatoes.


This basket is made from willow bark.
The willow used here differs from the weeping willows often seen in Japan, which hang down from trees. Instead, it grows upright from the ground like rice stalks, forming bushy clumps.


There are many kinds of willow, each with its own color and character.
Some branches are thin, others thick; some long, others short. Some are suitable for use with the bark left on, while others are peeled to reveal a pale, smooth surface.
Their bark can appear reddish, bluish, or in deep brown tones—each subtle variation giving a different impression, even among willows of the same kind.


Benjamin selects the tallest and strongest willow varieties each year, as growth conditions vary depending on rainfall and temperature.
He carefully chooses from around 10 types of willow, considering the ease of splitting, strength, bark color, and that year’s harvest volume, selecting the most suitable materials for each kind of weaving.


Here we introduce the “Outdoor Basket,” woven with willow bark left in its natural state.

The “Fine” type, introduced on another page (Outdoor Basket “Fine” 640206-1),
follows the traditional basket-making technique and features even finer and denser weaving than this “Wild.”
The “Wild” version was created by Benjamin
with the idea of making something more approachable and easy for customers to use.
Compared with the traditional “Fine,”
this basket reduces the amount of material processing and weaving steps,
resulting in a simpler, more rustic, and “wild” character—Benjamin’s own original design.





















The basket expands gently outward in a radiating curve from the straight rim,
giving it a shape that feels both crisp and soft—almost as if it were embracing what it holds.

It also serves beautifully indoors as a storage basket.
When using it for blankets, clothing, or other fabrics,
we recommend lining the inside with a cloth to prevent snagging.
The reddish-brown gradient of the willow gives a quiet, earthy tone,
yet when the light catches it, there’s a subtle inner radiance that draws the eye.
Baskets in this traditional shape are now rarely made, even in France, where they once originated.
We also introduce another version woven in the same shape and method as this one,
but with an even finer weave—the “Fine” basket. 
– Outdoor Basket “Fine” (640206-1)
Both the “Fine” and this “Wild” basket are light, durable, and equally well-suited for everyday use.
Benjamin created the “Wild” with the hope
that people today would use such baskets freely and comfortably in their daily lives.
We hope it will find a place in your everyday life as well.

Benjamin’s Basket Weaving
Before becoming a basket maker,
Benjamin worked in fields such as biology, environmental studies, social work, and photography.
Over time, however, he found himself weary of the fast-paced urban lifestyle.
Seeking a more meaningful way of living and working, he chose to devote himself to basket weaving.
“I love the simple feeling of touching wood, going out into nature, collecting hazel,
and working with my hands,” he says.
“Baskets are used every day to carry and store things.
Being able to make such objects—not by machine, but from renewable, local materials—
gives me a sense of independence.”
He says his goal in basket making is always to reach perfection—
a goal that can never truly be attained, which is precisely why it continues to inspire him.
The baskets he creates are all of exceptional quality, beautifully shaped, and built to last.
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 is a handwoven basket with a handle, made from willow bark.


The maker is Benjamin, a basket weaver currently living in Germany. Born and raised in France, he learned the craft from his father, who is also a basket maker, and inherited traditional French basketry techniques.
This form is a traditional basket shape often seen in France, particularly in the western regions.
According to Benjamin, until about two generations ago, farming families in western France—known locally as “Paysans”—used to make several of these finely crafted, practical baskets themselves every winter during the off-farming season.
Such baskets, carefully made over time, were originally used as “potato baskets” to store harvested potatoes.


This basket is made from willow bark.
The willow used here differs from the weeping willows often seen in Japan, which hang down from trees. Instead, it grows upright from the ground like rice stalks, forming bushy clumps.


There are many kinds of willow, each with its own color and character.
Some branches are thin, others thick; some long, others short. Some are suitable for use with the bark left on, while others are peeled to reveal a pale, smooth surface.
Their bark can appear reddish, bluish, or in deep brown tones—each subtle variation giving a different impression, even among willows of the same kind.


Benjamin selects the tallest and strongest willow varieties each year, as growth conditions vary depending on rainfall and temperature.
He carefully chooses from around 10 types of willow, considering the ease of splitting, strength, bark color, and that year’s harvest volume, selecting the most suitable materials for each kind of weaving.


Here we introduce the “Outdoor Basket,” woven with willow bark left in its natural state.

The “Fine” type, introduced on another page (Outdoor Basket “Fine” 640206-1),
follows the traditional basket-making technique and features even finer and denser weaving than this “Wild.”
The “Wild” version was created by Benjamin
with the idea of making something more approachable and easy for customers to use.
Compared with the traditional “Fine,”
this basket reduces the amount of material processing and weaving steps,
resulting in a simpler, more rustic, and “wild” character—Benjamin’s own original design.





















The basket expands gently outward in a radiating curve from the straight rim,
giving it a shape that feels both crisp and soft—almost as if it were embracing what it holds.

It also serves beautifully indoors as a storage basket.
When using it for blankets, clothing, or other fabrics,
we recommend lining the inside with a cloth to prevent snagging.
The reddish-brown gradient of the willow gives a quiet, earthy tone,
yet when the light catches it, there’s a subtle inner radiance that draws the eye.
Baskets in this traditional shape are now rarely made, even in France, where they once originated.
We also introduce another version woven in the same shape and method as this one,
but with an even finer weave—the “Fine” basket. 
– Outdoor Basket “Fine” (640206-1)
Both the “Fine” and this “Wild” basket are light, durable, and equally well-suited for everyday use.
Benjamin created the “Wild” with the hope
that people today would use such baskets freely and comfortably in their daily lives.
We hope it will find a place in your everyday life as well.

Benjamin’s Basket Weaving
Before becoming a basket maker,
Benjamin worked in fields such as biology, environmental studies, social work, and photography.
Over time, however, he found himself weary of the fast-paced urban lifestyle.
Seeking a more meaningful way of living and working, he chose to devote himself to basket weaving.
“I love the simple feeling of touching wood, going out into nature, collecting hazel,
and working with my hands,” he says.
“Baskets are used every day to carry and store things.
Being able to make such objects—not by machine, but from renewable, local materials—
gives me a sense of independence.”
He says his goal in basket making is always to reach perfection—
a goal that can never truly be attained, which is precisely why it continues to inspire him.
The baskets he creates are all of exceptional quality, beautifully shaped, and built to last.
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.