This is a rice ball basket handwoven from Suzutake bamboo.
Lidded baskets made in this region using the traditional ajiro-ami weaving technique used to be crafted in a wide range of sizes— from large storage trunks called kōri to small card cases—by many skilled artisans. Today, however, due to the decline in the number of weavers, only certain sizes are still being made.
Among Suzutake crafts, baskets like this—with a separate base and lid that fit together precisely— require particularly advanced weaving skills.
This lidded basket is compact, just the right size to hold two rice balls.Thin strips of Suzutake bamboo are carefully prepared and woven using ajiro-ami technique.The rim of the basket is reinforced with a core of sturdy Madake bamboo, around which Suzutake is tightly wound in an upward spiral to finish the edge.Thanks to Suzutake’s natural flexibility, the basket can withstand sharp angles like these without breaking.On the left is the base, and on the right is the lid. The lid is made just slightly larger to fit snugly over the base.Here is the lid. The inner side of the bamboo strips is smooth and glossy, showing excellent finish quality.This is the base. It is made using a double-layered structure, with the smooth outer surface of the bamboo strips facing outward—both inside and outside are tightly woven.This photo shows the basket turned upside down, with the lid fitting perfectly in place.When opening the basket, don’t hesitate. Place your fingers firmly into the gap between the body and the lid, and lift the lid upward. Suzutake bamboo is flexible and gently gives way under the pressure of your fingers.
You can place rice balls directly into the basket without wrapping them in plastic or foil.
Depending on your preference or the type of food, you may also choose to line the basket with cooking paper or kyōgi (thin sheets of wood).
In this example, we lined the bottom and sides with cooking paper and placed two small rice balls along with one piece of fried chicken and one cherry tomato inside.
Because this rice ball basket is made with a double-layered weave, it requires more careful handling than other lidded baskets made from Suzutake— especially in terms of ventilation.
The base portion, which uses a double layer of bamboo strips, tends to retain moisture and can be slow to dry. If left damp, it may develop mold over time.
For that reason, we recommend avoiding direct washing with water. Instead, after allowing the basket to dry thoroughly, gently brush away any dirt with a scrubbing brush, or use a tightly wrung cloth to wipe off any soiled areas.
The basket also works well as a container for small 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.
This is a basket that fits comfortably in the hand and can be enjoyed for many years.
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 rice ball basket handwoven from Suzutake bamboo.
Lidded baskets made in this region using the traditional ajiro-ami weaving technique used to be crafted in a wide range of sizes— from large storage trunks called kōri to small card cases—by many skilled artisans. Today, however, due to the decline in the number of weavers, only certain sizes are still being made.
Among Suzutake crafts, baskets like this—with a separate base and lid that fit together precisely— require particularly advanced weaving skills.
This lidded basket is compact, just the right size to hold two rice balls.Thin strips of Suzutake bamboo are carefully prepared and woven using ajiro-ami technique.The rim of the basket is reinforced with a core of sturdy Madake bamboo, around which Suzutake is tightly wound in an upward spiral to finish the edge.Thanks to Suzutake’s natural flexibility, the basket can withstand sharp angles like these without breaking.On the left is the base, and on the right is the lid. The lid is made just slightly larger to fit snugly over the base.Here is the lid. The inner side of the bamboo strips is smooth and glossy, showing excellent finish quality.This is the base. It is made using a double-layered structure, with the smooth outer surface of the bamboo strips facing outward—both inside and outside are tightly woven.This photo shows the basket turned upside down, with the lid fitting perfectly in place.When opening the basket, don’t hesitate. Place your fingers firmly into the gap between the body and the lid, and lift the lid upward. Suzutake bamboo is flexible and gently gives way under the pressure of your fingers.
You can place rice balls directly into the basket without wrapping them in plastic or foil.
Depending on your preference or the type of food, you may also choose to line the basket with cooking paper or kyōgi (thin sheets of wood).
In this example, we lined the bottom and sides with cooking paper and placed two small rice balls along with one piece of fried chicken and one cherry tomato inside.
Because this rice ball basket is made with a double-layered weave, it requires more careful handling than other lidded baskets made from Suzutake— especially in terms of ventilation.
The base portion, which uses a double layer of bamboo strips, tends to retain moisture and can be slow to dry. If left damp, it may develop mold over time.
For that reason, we recommend avoiding direct washing with water. Instead, after allowing the basket to dry thoroughly, gently brush away any dirt with a scrubbing brush, or use a tightly wrung cloth to wipe off any soiled areas.
The basket also works well as a container for small 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.
This is a basket that fits comfortably in the hand and can be enjoyed for many years.
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 rice ball basket handwoven from Suzutake bamboo.
Lidded baskets made in this region using the traditional ajiro-ami weaving technique used to be crafted in a wide range of sizes— from large storage trunks called kōri to small card cases—by many skilled artisans. Today, however, due to the decline in the number of weavers, only certain sizes are still being made.
Among Suzutake crafts, baskets like this—with a separate base and lid that fit together precisely— require particularly advanced weaving skills.
This lidded basket is compact, just the right size to hold two rice balls.Thin strips of Suzutake bamboo are carefully prepared and woven using ajiro-ami technique.The rim of the basket is reinforced with a core of sturdy Madake bamboo, around which Suzutake is tightly wound in an upward spiral to finish the edge.Thanks to Suzutake’s natural flexibility, the basket can withstand sharp angles like these without breaking.On the left is the base, and on the right is the lid. The lid is made just slightly larger to fit snugly over the base.Here is the lid. The inner side of the bamboo strips is smooth and glossy, showing excellent finish quality.This is the base. It is made using a double-layered structure, with the smooth outer surface of the bamboo strips facing outward—both inside and outside are tightly woven.This photo shows the basket turned upside down, with the lid fitting perfectly in place.When opening the basket, don’t hesitate. Place your fingers firmly into the gap between the body and the lid, and lift the lid upward. Suzutake bamboo is flexible and gently gives way under the pressure of your fingers.
You can place rice balls directly into the basket without wrapping them in plastic or foil.
Depending on your preference or the type of food, you may also choose to line the basket with cooking paper or kyōgi (thin sheets of wood).
In this example, we lined the bottom and sides with cooking paper and placed two small rice balls along with one piece of fried chicken and one cherry tomato inside.
Because this rice ball basket is made with a double-layered weave, it requires more careful handling than other lidded baskets made from Suzutake— especially in terms of ventilation.
The base portion, which uses a double layer of bamboo strips, tends to retain moisture and can be slow to dry. If left damp, it may develop mold over time.
For that reason, we recommend avoiding direct washing with water. Instead, after allowing the basket to dry thoroughly, gently brush away any dirt with a scrubbing brush, or use a tightly wrung cloth to wipe off any soiled areas.
The basket also works well as a container for small 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.
This is a basket that fits comfortably in the hand and can be enjoyed for many years.
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.
