This is a handwoven basket with a handle, made from Akebi vine. In Nagano, some baskets are made with Muki Akebi—a gray vine with its outer bark removed. But this one is crafted using vines with their natural brown bark, just as they appear in the wild.
It is woven in a local technique called Sukashi-ami.This openwork weave is a classic in Akebi vine craft and features a transparency that allows the contents to be seen.For the rim, vines split vertically in half are used.The natural gradation of color in the vine appears almost like a pattern, giving the basket a beautiful finish.Here is the joint between the rim and the handle. Its wild yet refined binding is a hallmark of Akebi vine work.This is the same connection viewed from the inside. It is cleanly and securely bound.The handle is made by wrapping Akebi vine around a thick rattan core.Seen from above, the two arching parts are bound at the center with wrapped vine, creating a smooth and comfortable grip.The base is woven in a dense Nami-ami, which ensures that items won’t fall through any gaps.Shown here being held in the hand.It has plenty of room for fabric items like clothing, towels, or stoles.Also ideal for packing food, lunch boxes, and drinks for camping or picnics.It works beautifully as a storage basket at home as well.
The Akebi vines retain their natural texture and coloring, just as they were harvested wild from the mountains. Its soft gradation of earthy tones and calm coloring give the basket a quiet sense of character. You could look at it endlessly and still find peace and warmth in its presence.
“Wide Rectangle Basket with Handle” – Gray Akebi Vine (left) and Akebi Vine (right)
A large basket with presence—you might enjoy just looking at it.
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.
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 handwoven basket with a handle, made from Akebi vine. In Nagano, some baskets are made with Muki Akebi—a gray vine with its outer bark removed. But this one is crafted using vines with their natural brown bark, just as they appear in the wild.
It is woven in a local technique called Sukashi-ami.This openwork weave is a classic in Akebi vine craft and features a transparency that allows the contents to be seen.For the rim, vines split vertically in half are used.The natural gradation of color in the vine appears almost like a pattern, giving the basket a beautiful finish.Here is the joint between the rim and the handle. Its wild yet refined binding is a hallmark of Akebi vine work.This is the same connection viewed from the inside. It is cleanly and securely bound.The handle is made by wrapping Akebi vine around a thick rattan core.Seen from above, the two arching parts are bound at the center with wrapped vine, creating a smooth and comfortable grip.The base is woven in a dense Nami-ami, which ensures that items won’t fall through any gaps.Shown here being held in the hand.It has plenty of room for fabric items like clothing, towels, or stoles.Also ideal for packing food, lunch boxes, and drinks for camping or picnics.It works beautifully as a storage basket at home as well.
The Akebi vines retain their natural texture and coloring, just as they were harvested wild from the mountains. Its soft gradation of earthy tones and calm coloring give the basket a quiet sense of character. You could look at it endlessly and still find peace and warmth in its presence.
“Wide Rectangle Basket with Handle” – Gray Akebi Vine (left) and Akebi Vine (right)
A large basket with presence—you might enjoy just looking at it.
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.
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 handwoven basket with a handle, made from Akebi vine. In Nagano, some baskets are made with Muki Akebi—a gray vine with its outer bark removed. But this one is crafted using vines with their natural brown bark, just as they appear in the wild.
It is woven in a local technique called Sukashi-ami.This openwork weave is a classic in Akebi vine craft and features a transparency that allows the contents to be seen.For the rim, vines split vertically in half are used.The natural gradation of color in the vine appears almost like a pattern, giving the basket a beautiful finish.Here is the joint between the rim and the handle. Its wild yet refined binding is a hallmark of Akebi vine work.This is the same connection viewed from the inside. It is cleanly and securely bound.The handle is made by wrapping Akebi vine around a thick rattan core.Seen from above, the two arching parts are bound at the center with wrapped vine, creating a smooth and comfortable grip.The base is woven in a dense Nami-ami, which ensures that items won’t fall through any gaps.Shown here being held in the hand.It has plenty of room for fabric items like clothing, towels, or stoles.Also ideal for packing food, lunch boxes, and drinks for camping or picnics.It works beautifully as a storage basket at home as well.
The Akebi vines retain their natural texture and coloring, just as they were harvested wild from the mountains. Its soft gradation of earthy tones and calm coloring give the basket a quiet sense of character. You could look at it endlessly and still find peace and warmth in its presence.
“Wide Rectangle Basket with Handle” – Gray Akebi Vine (left) and Akebi Vine (right)
A large basket with presence—you might enjoy just looking at it.
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.
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.
