This is a basket handwoven from Suzutake bamboo in a mutsume-ami (hexagonal) pattern. The gokago is commonly used for storing dishes, such as bowls. This page features two sizes: Small and Medium.
The basket has a raised base and open weave, offering excellent ventilation.The sides are woven using pairs of Suzutake strips in the mutsume-ami style. You may notice some purplish or brownish hues in the bamboo—this is natural discoloration caused when the outer skin peels and the surface is exposed to sunlight. We appreciate your understanding.The rim is constructed by wrapping evenly spaced Suzutake strips around a core of Shinodake bamboo.Here is a view of the rim from inside the basket. You can see how the Suzutake strips used to weave the sides are folded over and secured at the rim.From the top, the rim appears tightly finished, offering excellent strength and stability.This is the raised base. It allows for good air circulation and drainage.Like the rim, the base is also made by wrapping evenly spaced Suzutake strips around a core of Shinodake.Although Suzutake is naturally flexible, the addition of Shinodake as the core provides firm structure and added durability.The bottom is woven in the mutsume-ami style, using pairs of bamboo strips. The hexagonal shape of the pattern is what gives the weave its name.The Small and Medium sizes can be nested together for compact storage.Let us introduce the sizes. This is the Small size.It can hold enough for 1–2 people: rice bowls, soup bowls, small plates, and cups stacked together.This is the Medium size.It has enough capacity for 3–4 people: stacked rice bowls, soup bowls, small plates, and cups.It’s also useful for drying taller items like thermoses or water pitchers.
In the past, this type of basket was used for draining dishes. However, the inside surface is made with the fibrous inner side of the bamboo rather than the outer skin. Because of this, moisture can be absorbed and retained, which may lead to mold in modern home environments. For that reason, we do not recommend using it as a dish drainer for wet items.
Instead, it’s well-suited for placing ceramics, lacquerware, or bamboo and wooden dishes that have been gently wiped dry but still need some airing. It’s also ideal for storing fruits, root vegetables, or other pantry items.
Suzutake bamboo is known for its glossy surface, soft yet resilient texture, and overall durability. One of its pleasures is the way it gradually deepens in color over time— from pale green to a warm amber tone. Even after years of use, washing it with water brings back a natural sheen to the surface, a sign of just how exceptional the material is.
Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
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 basket handwoven from Suzutake bamboo in a mutsume-ami (hexagonal) pattern. The gokago is commonly used for storing dishes, such as bowls. This page features two sizes: Small and Medium.
The basket has a raised base and open weave, offering excellent ventilation.The sides are woven using pairs of Suzutake strips in the mutsume-ami style. You may notice some purplish or brownish hues in the bamboo—this is natural discoloration caused when the outer skin peels and the surface is exposed to sunlight. We appreciate your understanding.The rim is constructed by wrapping evenly spaced Suzutake strips around a core of Shinodake bamboo.Here is a view of the rim from inside the basket. You can see how the Suzutake strips used to weave the sides are folded over and secured at the rim.From the top, the rim appears tightly finished, offering excellent strength and stability.This is the raised base. It allows for good air circulation and drainage.Like the rim, the base is also made by wrapping evenly spaced Suzutake strips around a core of Shinodake.Although Suzutake is naturally flexible, the addition of Shinodake as the core provides firm structure and added durability.The bottom is woven in the mutsume-ami style, using pairs of bamboo strips. The hexagonal shape of the pattern is what gives the weave its name.The Small and Medium sizes can be nested together for compact storage.Let us introduce the sizes. This is the Small size.It can hold enough for 1–2 people: rice bowls, soup bowls, small plates, and cups stacked together.This is the Medium size.It has enough capacity for 3–4 people: stacked rice bowls, soup bowls, small plates, and cups.It’s also useful for drying taller items like thermoses or water pitchers.
In the past, this type of basket was used for draining dishes. However, the inside surface is made with the fibrous inner side of the bamboo rather than the outer skin. Because of this, moisture can be absorbed and retained, which may lead to mold in modern home environments. For that reason, we do not recommend using it as a dish drainer for wet items.
Instead, it’s well-suited for placing ceramics, lacquerware, or bamboo and wooden dishes that have been gently wiped dry but still need some airing. It’s also ideal for storing fruits, root vegetables, or other pantry items.
Suzutake bamboo is known for its glossy surface, soft yet resilient texture, and overall durability. One of its pleasures is the way it gradually deepens in color over time— from pale green to a warm amber tone. Even after years of use, washing it with water brings back a natural sheen to the surface, a sign of just how exceptional the material is.
Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
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 basket handwoven from Suzutake bamboo in a mutsume-ami (hexagonal) pattern. The gokago is commonly used for storing dishes, such as bowls. This page features two sizes: Small and Medium.
The basket has a raised base and open weave, offering excellent ventilation.The sides are woven using pairs of Suzutake strips in the mutsume-ami style. You may notice some purplish or brownish hues in the bamboo—this is natural discoloration caused when the outer skin peels and the surface is exposed to sunlight. We appreciate your understanding.The rim is constructed by wrapping evenly spaced Suzutake strips around a core of Shinodake bamboo.Here is a view of the rim from inside the basket. You can see how the Suzutake strips used to weave the sides are folded over and secured at the rim.From the top, the rim appears tightly finished, offering excellent strength and stability.This is the raised base. It allows for good air circulation and drainage.Like the rim, the base is also made by wrapping evenly spaced Suzutake strips around a core of Shinodake.Although Suzutake is naturally flexible, the addition of Shinodake as the core provides firm structure and added durability.The bottom is woven in the mutsume-ami style, using pairs of bamboo strips. The hexagonal shape of the pattern is what gives the weave its name.The Small and Medium sizes can be nested together for compact storage.Let us introduce the sizes. This is the Small size.It can hold enough for 1–2 people: rice bowls, soup bowls, small plates, and cups stacked together.This is the Medium size.It has enough capacity for 3–4 people: stacked rice bowls, soup bowls, small plates, and cups.It’s also useful for drying taller items like thermoses or water pitchers.
In the past, this type of basket was used for draining dishes. However, the inside surface is made with the fibrous inner side of the bamboo rather than the outer skin. Because of this, moisture can be absorbed and retained, which may lead to mold in modern home environments. For that reason, we do not recommend using it as a dish drainer for wet items.
Instead, it’s well-suited for placing ceramics, lacquerware, or bamboo and wooden dishes that have been gently wiped dry but still need some airing. It’s also ideal for storing fruits, root vegetables, or other pantry items.
Suzutake bamboo is known for its glossy surface, soft yet resilient texture, and overall durability. One of its pleasures is the way it gradually deepens in color over time— from pale green to a warm amber tone. Even after years of use, washing it with water brings back a natural sheen to the surface, a sign of just how exceptional the material is.
Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
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.
