In Nagano Prefecture, some artisans use “peeled vines”, which have a pale gray tone. However, this piece is made from unpeeled, naturally brown vines—just as they grow in the wild.
The body of the basket is woven using a technique known locally as nami-ami (plain weave).The weave is dense and tightly packed, with no transparency. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard techniques, alongside sukashi-ami (openwork weave).The surface of the basket shows a gentle, rhythmic wave pattern created by the natural curves of the akebi vine.The rim is reinforced with a thick akebi vine split in half, fitted seamlessly and smoothly with minimal height differences between each vine. A line of stitching is also added just beneath the rim for a refined finish.The stitching beneath the rim may vary in pattern depending on the materials available or the artisan’s preference. Please note that the stitching design may differ slightly from piece to piece.When viewed from above, the rim is neatly wrapped with vines from both sides, creating a well-balanced and tightly finished edge.This is the bottom part of the basket. A decorative weave runs all the way around the base, with a line of stitching added above it for detail.At the center of the base, the akebi vines are arranged in a crisscross pattern, spreading outward in a mat-like weave. This technique highlights the softness and flexibility unique to akebi vinework.The basket has a beautifully rounded shape, with a small opening at the center—just about the width of a finger.The play of light and shadow on the basket adds a subtle, elegant charm.It pairs beautifully with flowers or as a cover for potted plants, adding a natural touch to your space.We placed a vase inside the basket and arranged some wildflowers in it—it creates a lovely, organic display.
It can also be used as a wastebasket, or to store rolled-up rugs or mats when not in use. Even on its own, the basket adds a strong, natural presence to any room as a piece of interior decor.
The akebi vines retain their natural character, just as they grew wild in the mountains. Their gentle gradation of color and earthy tones are endlessly calming—you’ll never tire of looking at them.
This basket is exceptionally sturdy and well-constructed. With its solid, dependable presence, it’s the kind of piece that will stay by your side for decades to come.
＜Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano＞ Since the early Edo period, the snowy winters of Nagano Prefecture have given rise to a tradition of winter handiwork, where people crafted baskets, toys, and other everyday tools as a seasonal livelihood.
In the northern region of Nagano, akebi vine baskets are made in two distinct styles. One uses brown vines with the bark left intact—similar to those seen in other regions like Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata.
The other features peeled akebi vines: the vines are first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in river water for about a month before the bark is carefully removed, resulting in soft gray vines. Traditionally, all baskets in this region were made using peeled akebi vines.
Though peeled akebi requires significant time and effort to prepare before weaving even begins, the soft gray tone it produces gives the finished basket a unique beauty that can only be found in this region.
Both styles rely on carefully selected, high-quality vines and are crafted using skilled weaving techniques to produce a wide variety of beautiful and functional forms.
This basket is handwoven from wild akebi vine.
In Nagano Prefecture, some artisans use “peeled vines”, which have a pale gray tone. However, this piece is made from unpeeled, naturally brown vines—just as they grow in the wild.
The body of the basket is woven using a technique known locally as nami-ami (plain weave).The weave is dense and tightly packed, with no transparency. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard techniques, alongside sukashi-ami (openwork weave).The surface of the basket shows a gentle, rhythmic wave pattern created by the natural curves of the akebi vine.The rim is reinforced with a thick akebi vine split in half, fitted seamlessly and smoothly with minimal height differences between each vine. A line of stitching is also added just beneath the rim for a refined finish.The stitching beneath the rim may vary in pattern depending on the materials available or the artisan’s preference. Please note that the stitching design may differ slightly from piece to piece.When viewed from above, the rim is neatly wrapped with vines from both sides, creating a well-balanced and tightly finished edge.This is the bottom part of the basket. A decorative weave runs all the way around the base, with a line of stitching added above it for detail.At the center of the base, the akebi vines are arranged in a crisscross pattern, spreading outward in a mat-like weave. This technique highlights the softness and flexibility unique to akebi vinework.The basket has a beautifully rounded shape, with a small opening at the center—just about the width of a finger.The play of light and shadow on the basket adds a subtle, elegant charm.It pairs beautifully with flowers or as a cover for potted plants, adding a natural touch to your space.We placed a vase inside the basket and arranged some wildflowers in it—it creates a lovely, organic display.
It can also be used as a wastebasket, or to store rolled-up rugs or mats when not in use. Even on its own, the basket adds a strong, natural presence to any room as a piece of interior decor.
The akebi vines retain their natural character, just as they grew wild in the mountains. Their gentle gradation of color and earthy tones are endlessly calming—you’ll never tire of looking at them.
This basket is exceptionally sturdy and well-constructed. With its solid, dependable presence, it’s the kind of piece that will stay by your side for decades to come.
＜Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano＞ Since the early Edo period, the snowy winters of Nagano Prefecture have given rise to a tradition of winter handiwork, where people crafted baskets, toys, and other everyday tools as a seasonal livelihood.
In the northern region of Nagano, akebi vine baskets are made in two distinct styles. One uses brown vines with the bark left intact—similar to those seen in other regions like Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata.
The other features peeled akebi vines: the vines are first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in river water for about a month before the bark is carefully removed, resulting in soft gray vines. Traditionally, all baskets in this region were made using peeled akebi vines.
Though peeled akebi requires significant time and effort to prepare before weaving even begins, the soft gray tone it produces gives the finished basket a unique beauty that can only be found in this region.
Both styles rely on carefully selected, high-quality vines and are crafted using skilled weaving techniques to produce a wide variety of beautiful and functional forms.
This basket is handwoven from wild akebi vine.
In Nagano Prefecture, some artisans use “peeled vines”, which have a pale gray tone. However, this piece is made from unpeeled, naturally brown vines—just as they grow in the wild.
The body of the basket is woven using a technique known locally as nami-ami (plain weave).The weave is dense and tightly packed, with no transparency. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard techniques, alongside sukashi-ami (openwork weave).The surface of the basket shows a gentle, rhythmic wave pattern created by the natural curves of the akebi vine.The rim is reinforced with a thick akebi vine split in half, fitted seamlessly and smoothly with minimal height differences between each vine. A line of stitching is also added just beneath the rim for a refined finish.The stitching beneath the rim may vary in pattern depending on the materials available or the artisan’s preference. Please note that the stitching design may differ slightly from piece to piece.When viewed from above, the rim is neatly wrapped with vines from both sides, creating a well-balanced and tightly finished edge.This is the bottom part of the basket. A decorative weave runs all the way around the base, with a line of stitching added above it for detail.At the center of the base, the akebi vines are arranged in a crisscross pattern, spreading outward in a mat-like weave. This technique highlights the softness and flexibility unique to akebi vinework.The basket has a beautifully rounded shape, with a small opening at the center—just about the width of a finger.The play of light and shadow on the basket adds a subtle, elegant charm.It pairs beautifully with flowers or as a cover for potted plants, adding a natural touch to your space.We placed a vase inside the basket and arranged some wildflowers in it—it creates a lovely, organic display.
It can also be used as a wastebasket, or to store rolled-up rugs or mats when not in use. Even on its own, the basket adds a strong, natural presence to any room as a piece of interior decor.
The akebi vines retain their natural character, just as they grew wild in the mountains. Their gentle gradation of color and earthy tones are endlessly calming—you’ll never tire of looking at them.
This basket is exceptionally sturdy and well-constructed. With its solid, dependable presence, it’s the kind of piece that will stay by your side for decades to come.
＜Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano＞ Since the early Edo period, the snowy winters of Nagano Prefecture have given rise to a tradition of winter handiwork, where people crafted baskets, toys, and other everyday tools as a seasonal livelihood.
In the northern region of Nagano, akebi vine baskets are made in two distinct styles. One uses brown vines with the bark left intact—similar to those seen in other regions like Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata.
The other features peeled akebi vines: the vines are first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in river water for about a month before the bark is carefully removed, resulting in soft gray vines. Traditionally, all baskets in this region were made using peeled akebi vines.
Though peeled akebi requires significant time and effort to prepare before weaving even begins, the soft gray tone it produces gives the finished basket a unique beauty that can only be found in this region.
Both styles rely on carefully selected, high-quality vines and are crafted using skilled weaving techniques to produce a wide variety of beautiful and functional forms.
