This basket is made from peeled Akebi vine, prepared by soaking in hot spring and river water. Its shape is ideal for carrying bread, which is why it’s affectionately called a bread basket.
It is woven using a technique known in this region as “nami-ami,” or close weave.The weave is tight and opaque, with no gaps between the strips. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard techniques here, alongside sukashi-ami, or openwork weaving.The surface of the basket shows a rhythmic, wave-like pattern created by the Akebi vine—truly mesmerizing to look at. Because the outer bark has been removed, the surface feels smooth to the touch.Although a stitched detail runs beneath the rim, the edge appears neatly and simply wrapped when viewed from the side.Seen from above, the rim is double-layered, showing a firm and precisely wrapped finish.This view shows the inside of the rim. What seems like a simple double wrap from above is actually a triple-layered weave—quietly reinforcing the basket with hidden strength.This is the outer view of where the handle meets the rim. The handle is securely attached to the rim, and the knotting detail adds a subtle accent to the overall design.Seen from inside the basket, the point where the handle is joined shows a bold and confident finish—its strength almost commanding in presence.The handle is constructed with a core of firm rattan, finished by tightly wrapping Akebi vine around it in a spiraling motion.The entire base is also finished using the nami-ami technique, with tightly packed weaving throughout.With this basket, you can carry freshly baked bread laid flat, without worrying about it being crushed.It’s also ideal for carrying cakes or bento boxes that you want to keep flat and stable.Carrying a few groceries or daily essentials? This basket will feel right at home in that role, too.
Under bright light, the material may appear almost whitish, yet its expression shifts subtly with changes in weather or lighting.
When natural materials are combined with human care and effort, their beauty often deepens many times over. This basket seems to embody that idea—its color and form speak quietly of that transformation.
Though the shade doesn’t exist in nature, it takes on a rich, elegant tone through a chemical reaction with hot spring minerals.
Whether carried on a walk or placed by the window, it’s a basket that quietly inhabits both daily life and living space with grace.
The basket sits low and steady, its quiet form bringing a sense of calm. It would be a joy to know it stays with you for many years to come.
_Akebi Vine Basketry from Northern Nagano_
In Nagano, since the early Edo period, people have crafted baskets, toys, and other daily tools as winter work during the region’s long, snow-filled months.
There are two types of Akebi vine used in basketry: one with its natural bark intact—a warm brown color— and another called Muki Akebi, a grayish vine that has been peeled after fermentation.
While Akebi vine craft is also found in parts of Tohoku such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata, Muki Akebi basketry is a tradition that continues only in this region.
Before weaving begins, the vines are soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in river water for around a month before the bark is carefully removed.
It is said that in the past, all Akebi baskets in northern Nagano were made exclusively from Muki Akebi.
This material requires great time and effort before it can even be woven, but the baskets that emerge from it carry a quiet depth—something only this land can produce.
Both Akebi and Muki Akebi vines are carefully selected for quality, and skilled hands continue to craft them into a wide variety of beautiful forms.
This basket is made from peeled Akebi vine, prepared by soaking in hot spring and river water. Its shape is ideal for carrying bread, which is why it’s affectionately called a bread basket.
It is woven using a technique known in this region as “nami-ami,” or close weave.The weave is tight and opaque, with no gaps between the strips. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard techniques here, alongside sukashi-ami, or openwork weaving.The surface of the basket shows a rhythmic, wave-like pattern created by the Akebi vine—truly mesmerizing to look at. Because the outer bark has been removed, the surface feels smooth to the touch.Although a stitched detail runs beneath the rim, the edge appears neatly and simply wrapped when viewed from the side.Seen from above, the rim is double-layered, showing a firm and precisely wrapped finish.This view shows the inside of the rim. What seems like a simple double wrap from above is actually a triple-layered weave—quietly reinforcing the basket with hidden strength.This is the outer view of where the handle meets the rim. The handle is securely attached to the rim, and the knotting detail adds a subtle accent to the overall design.Seen from inside the basket, the point where the handle is joined shows a bold and confident finish—its strength almost commanding in presence.The handle is constructed with a core of firm rattan, finished by tightly wrapping Akebi vine around it in a spiraling motion.The entire base is also finished using the nami-ami technique, with tightly packed weaving throughout.With this basket, you can carry freshly baked bread laid flat, without worrying about it being crushed.It’s also ideal for carrying cakes or bento boxes that you want to keep flat and stable.Carrying a few groceries or daily essentials? This basket will feel right at home in that role, too.
Under bright light, the material may appear almost whitish, yet its expression shifts subtly with changes in weather or lighting.
When natural materials are combined with human care and effort, their beauty often deepens many times over. This basket seems to embody that idea—its color and form speak quietly of that transformation.
Though the shade doesn’t exist in nature, it takes on a rich, elegant tone through a chemical reaction with hot spring minerals.
Whether carried on a walk or placed by the window, it’s a basket that quietly inhabits both daily life and living space with grace.
The basket sits low and steady, its quiet form bringing a sense of calm. It would be a joy to know it stays with you for many years to come.
_Akebi Vine Basketry from Northern Nagano_
In Nagano, since the early Edo period, people have crafted baskets, toys, and other daily tools as winter work during the region’s long, snow-filled months.
There are two types of Akebi vine used in basketry: one with its natural bark intact—a warm brown color— and another called Muki Akebi, a grayish vine that has been peeled after fermentation.
While Akebi vine craft is also found in parts of Tohoku such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata, Muki Akebi basketry is a tradition that continues only in this region.
Before weaving begins, the vines are soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in river water for around a month before the bark is carefully removed.
It is said that in the past, all Akebi baskets in northern Nagano were made exclusively from Muki Akebi.
This material requires great time and effort before it can even be woven, but the baskets that emerge from it carry a quiet depth—something only this land can produce.
Both Akebi and Muki Akebi vines are carefully selected for quality, and skilled hands continue to craft them into a wide variety of beautiful forms.
This basket is made from peeled Akebi vine, prepared by soaking in hot spring and river water. Its shape is ideal for carrying bread, which is why it’s affectionately called a bread basket.
It is woven using a technique known in this region as “nami-ami,” or close weave.The weave is tight and opaque, with no gaps between the strips. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard techniques here, alongside sukashi-ami, or openwork weaving.The surface of the basket shows a rhythmic, wave-like pattern created by the Akebi vine—truly mesmerizing to look at. Because the outer bark has been removed, the surface feels smooth to the touch.Although a stitched detail runs beneath the rim, the edge appears neatly and simply wrapped when viewed from the side.Seen from above, the rim is double-layered, showing a firm and precisely wrapped finish.This view shows the inside of the rim. What seems like a simple double wrap from above is actually a triple-layered weave—quietly reinforcing the basket with hidden strength.This is the outer view of where the handle meets the rim. The handle is securely attached to the rim, and the knotting detail adds a subtle accent to the overall design.Seen from inside the basket, the point where the handle is joined shows a bold and confident finish—its strength almost commanding in presence.The handle is constructed with a core of firm rattan, finished by tightly wrapping Akebi vine around it in a spiraling motion.The entire base is also finished using the nami-ami technique, with tightly packed weaving throughout.With this basket, you can carry freshly baked bread laid flat, without worrying about it being crushed.It’s also ideal for carrying cakes or bento boxes that you want to keep flat and stable.Carrying a few groceries or daily essentials? This basket will feel right at home in that role, too.
Under bright light, the material may appear almost whitish, yet its expression shifts subtly with changes in weather or lighting.
When natural materials are combined with human care and effort, their beauty often deepens many times over. This basket seems to embody that idea—its color and form speak quietly of that transformation.
Though the shade doesn’t exist in nature, it takes on a rich, elegant tone through a chemical reaction with hot spring minerals.
Whether carried on a walk or placed by the window, it’s a basket that quietly inhabits both daily life and living space with grace.
The basket sits low and steady, its quiet form bringing a sense of calm. It would be a joy to know it stays with you for many years to come.
_Akebi Vine Basketry from Northern Nagano_
In Nagano, since the early Edo period, people have crafted baskets, toys, and other daily tools as winter work during the region’s long, snow-filled months.
There are two types of Akebi vine used in basketry: one with its natural bark intact—a warm brown color— and another called Muki Akebi, a grayish vine that has been peeled after fermentation.
While Akebi vine craft is also found in parts of Tohoku such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata, Muki Akebi basketry is a tradition that continues only in this region.
Before weaving begins, the vines are soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in river water for around a month before the bark is carefully removed.
It is said that in the past, all Akebi baskets in northern Nagano were made exclusively from Muki Akebi.
This material requires great time and effort before it can even be woven, but the baskets that emerge from it carry a quiet depth—something only this land can produce.
Both Akebi and Muki Akebi vines are carefully selected for quality, and skilled hands continue to craft them into a wide variety of beautiful forms.
