Hiroshima Prefecture, located near the center of the Chugoku region, is characterized by its vast mountain ranges and its coastline along the Seto Inland Sea. With agriculture, fishing, and coastal industry all flourishing, the area is sometimes called “a microcosm of Japan.”
Hiroshima is also rich in bamboo forests, and there are people who continue to preserve the long-standing craft of bamboo weaving as a regional tradition.
They mainly use madake bamboo, creating a wide range of bamboo products—from daily household tools to fine craftwork.
This is a deep bamboo basket known locally as “Sōki.” In Toyama, it is called “Sōke,” and in Kyushu, “Shōke” or “Shoke”—different names for the same kind of basket.
In its place of origin, it is traditionally used as a rice straining basket for washing and draining rice.
This version is made entirely from the outer skin of bamboo and features an exceptionally fine weave—the highest-grade type among Sōki baskets.
Here we introduce the “Sōki,” a deep and large rice straining basket, available in two sizes—Small and Large—with a premium full-skin finish.
The basket features a regular weaving pattern known as zarame-ami or horizontal weave.It is finely and carefully woven using extremely thin bamboo strips, about 0.06″ wide.The rim is finished with a technique called “migaki,” in which the outer bamboo skin is gently shaved. Over time, it develops a warm amber tone.Copper wire is used to fasten the rim.This rim-making method, called atebuchi finish, is characterized by overlaying thin, sasara-like bamboo strips and fastening them together from above.Here is the underside of the basket—its back has a firm, turtle-shell-like structure.It is made entirely from the green outer skin of bamboo, woven with remarkable fineness and strength. When touched, the surface feels astonishingly smooth.Compared with ordinary deep round baskets, this Hiroshima-made Sōki rises sharply from the bottom to the sides, creating its distinctive shape.Now, let us introduce each size. This is the Small size, which can hold about 50–60 cups of rice (1 cup = approx. 180 ml).This is the Large size, which can hold about 100 cups of rice.
The color of green bamboo may vary depending on the season and the way the materials are stored by the craftsperson. Some baskets may lose their green tone and appear more yellow.
The green hue naturally fades over time, but this does not affect the quality or finish of the basket. Please rest assured. Because this is a natural characteristic of green bamboo, please understand that the color of the basket you receive may differ slightly from the photos shown.
After each use, gently scrub the basket with a tawashi or sasara brush, and let it dry in a well-ventilated place. If good airflow is difficult to ensure, use a kitchen ventilation fan to help prevent moisture from building up.
Because bamboo is prone to mold when exposed to moisture for long periods, please take care to keep it dry.
This basket is used in Japan for one of the most traditional and fundamental parts of meal preparation—washing and draining rice.
It can also be used for washing and draining glutinous rice, sake rice, red beans, soybeans, and more. Both sizes are quite large for household use.
It can also serve beautifully as a storage basket for throws or blankets in the living room, or even for keeping newspapers and magazines.
Although practical in use, this premium full-skin finish elevates the basket beyond functionality— it is both a tool and a work of craftsmanship.
Please check the dimensions carefully and choose the size that best suits your needs.
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.
Hiroshima Prefecture, located near the center of the Chugoku region, is characterized by its vast mountain ranges and its coastline along the Seto Inland Sea. With agriculture, fishing, and coastal industry all flourishing, the area is sometimes called “a microcosm of Japan.”
Hiroshima is also rich in bamboo forests, and there are people who continue to preserve the long-standing craft of bamboo weaving as a regional tradition.
They mainly use madake bamboo, creating a wide range of bamboo products—from daily household tools to fine craftwork.
This is a deep bamboo basket known locally as “Sōki.” In Toyama, it is called “Sōke,” and in Kyushu, “Shōke” or “Shoke”—different names for the same kind of basket.
In its place of origin, it is traditionally used as a rice straining basket for washing and draining rice.
This version is made entirely from the outer skin of bamboo and features an exceptionally fine weave—the highest-grade type among Sōki baskets.
Here we introduce the “Sōki,” a deep and large rice straining basket, available in two sizes—Small and Large—with a premium full-skin finish.
The basket features a regular weaving pattern known as zarame-ami or horizontal weave.It is finely and carefully woven using extremely thin bamboo strips, about 0.06″ wide.The rim is finished with a technique called “migaki,” in which the outer bamboo skin is gently shaved. Over time, it develops a warm amber tone.Copper wire is used to fasten the rim.This rim-making method, called atebuchi finish, is characterized by overlaying thin, sasara-like bamboo strips and fastening them together from above.Here is the underside of the basket—its back has a firm, turtle-shell-like structure.It is made entirely from the green outer skin of bamboo, woven with remarkable fineness and strength. When touched, the surface feels astonishingly smooth.Compared with ordinary deep round baskets, this Hiroshima-made Sōki rises sharply from the bottom to the sides, creating its distinctive shape.Now, let us introduce each size. This is the Small size, which can hold about 50–60 cups of rice (1 cup = approx. 180 ml).This is the Large size, which can hold about 100 cups of rice.
The color of green bamboo may vary depending on the season and the way the materials are stored by the craftsperson. Some baskets may lose their green tone and appear more yellow.
The green hue naturally fades over time, but this does not affect the quality or finish of the basket. Please rest assured. Because this is a natural characteristic of green bamboo, please understand that the color of the basket you receive may differ slightly from the photos shown.
After each use, gently scrub the basket with a tawashi or sasara brush, and let it dry in a well-ventilated place. If good airflow is difficult to ensure, use a kitchen ventilation fan to help prevent moisture from building up.
Because bamboo is prone to mold when exposed to moisture for long periods, please take care to keep it dry.
This basket is used in Japan for one of the most traditional and fundamental parts of meal preparation—washing and draining rice.
It can also be used for washing and draining glutinous rice, sake rice, red beans, soybeans, and more. Both sizes are quite large for household use.
It can also serve beautifully as a storage basket for throws or blankets in the living room, or even for keeping newspapers and magazines.
Although practical in use, this premium full-skin finish elevates the basket beyond functionality— it is both a tool and a work of craftsmanship.
Please check the dimensions carefully and choose the size that best suits your needs.
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.
Hiroshima Prefecture, located near the center of the Chugoku region, is characterized by its vast mountain ranges and its coastline along the Seto Inland Sea. With agriculture, fishing, and coastal industry all flourishing, the area is sometimes called “a microcosm of Japan.”
Hiroshima is also rich in bamboo forests, and there are people who continue to preserve the long-standing craft of bamboo weaving as a regional tradition.
They mainly use madake bamboo, creating a wide range of bamboo products—from daily household tools to fine craftwork.
This is a deep bamboo basket known locally as “Sōki.” In Toyama, it is called “Sōke,” and in Kyushu, “Shōke” or “Shoke”—different names for the same kind of basket.
In its place of origin, it is traditionally used as a rice straining basket for washing and draining rice.
This version is made entirely from the outer skin of bamboo and features an exceptionally fine weave—the highest-grade type among Sōki baskets.
Here we introduce the “Sōki,” a deep and large rice straining basket, available in two sizes—Small and Large—with a premium full-skin finish.
The basket features a regular weaving pattern known as zarame-ami or horizontal weave.It is finely and carefully woven using extremely thin bamboo strips, about 0.06″ wide.The rim is finished with a technique called “migaki,” in which the outer bamboo skin is gently shaved. Over time, it develops a warm amber tone.Copper wire is used to fasten the rim.This rim-making method, called atebuchi finish, is characterized by overlaying thin, sasara-like bamboo strips and fastening them together from above.Here is the underside of the basket—its back has a firm, turtle-shell-like structure.It is made entirely from the green outer skin of bamboo, woven with remarkable fineness and strength. When touched, the surface feels astonishingly smooth.Compared with ordinary deep round baskets, this Hiroshima-made Sōki rises sharply from the bottom to the sides, creating its distinctive shape.Now, let us introduce each size. This is the Small size, which can hold about 50–60 cups of rice (1 cup = approx. 180 ml).This is the Large size, which can hold about 100 cups of rice.
The color of green bamboo may vary depending on the season and the way the materials are stored by the craftsperson. Some baskets may lose their green tone and appear more yellow.
The green hue naturally fades over time, but this does not affect the quality or finish of the basket. Please rest assured. Because this is a natural characteristic of green bamboo, please understand that the color of the basket you receive may differ slightly from the photos shown.
After each use, gently scrub the basket with a tawashi or sasara brush, and let it dry in a well-ventilated place. If good airflow is difficult to ensure, use a kitchen ventilation fan to help prevent moisture from building up.
Because bamboo is prone to mold when exposed to moisture for long periods, please take care to keep it dry.
This basket is used in Japan for one of the most traditional and fundamental parts of meal preparation—washing and draining rice.
It can also be used for washing and draining glutinous rice, sake rice, red beans, soybeans, and more. Both sizes are quite large for household use.
It can also serve beautifully as a storage basket for throws or blankets in the living room, or even for keeping newspapers and magazines.
Although practical in use, this premium full-skin finish elevates the basket beyond functionality— it is both a tool and a work of craftsmanship.
Please check the dimensions carefully and choose the size that best suits your needs.
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.
