This is a basket made from Muki Akebi (gray Akebi vine), in which the bark is removed using hot spring water or river water.
As its name suggests, this is a rounded basket with a single handle at the top.
Baskets made from the brown Akebi vine with its bark intact have a rustic and earthy charm.
In Nagano, however, there is also a variety called Muki Akebi, in which the bark is removed to reveal a soft gray tone. This basket is made using Muki Akebi.
The basket on the left in the photo is the same shape, but made from bark-on Akebi vine.
It is woven in a technique known locally as Nami-ami.There is no transparency—this is a tightly woven basket. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard weaving styles, along with Sukashi-ami.The Akebi vines form graceful, undulating waves across the surface—an absolutely captivating texture. Because the bark has been removed, the surface feels exceptionally smooth to the touch.Although there is a stitched accent just beneath the rim, from the side the edge appears to be finished with a simple spiral wrap.From above, you can see that the rim is double-layered and firmly wrapped.Here is the inside of the rim. While it looks double-layered from the top, it is in fact triple-wrapped—providing exceptional strength.This is the outer view of where the handle meets the rim. It is firmly secured, and the handle knot acts as a visual accent for the entire basket.From the inside, the connection point is bold and tightly finished—you can almost feel its strength.The handle is made by wrapping Akebi vine around a core of rattan in a coiling technique.The base is also finished in the Nami-ami.There’s a quiet charm in its soft, rounded form that’s hard to describe.It can be carried on the arm like a basket bag,and is perfect for daily errands as well.For camping or picnics, it easily holds lunch boxes, drinks, and ingredients—just load it into the car.Its plump shape has a charming presence, balanced by its well-formed beauty.
While the surface may appear pale under bright light, this material subtly shifts in tone depending on the lighting or weather, offering depth and quiet variation.
When human care is applied to a raw material in its natural state, the result can become something far more beautiful than nature alone.
This basket seems to express that very idea—through both its color and form. Its tone is unlike anything found in nature, the result of a chemical reaction between the vine and mineral-rich spring water, giving it a rich, earthy elegance.
Not only is it perfect for outings and shopping, but it also makes a striking presence in any room as a piece of natural decor.
Gray Akebi Vine (left) and Akebi Vine (right)
With its impressively solid construction, this basket offers lasting stability—one that may stay by your side for decades to come.
Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano
In Nagano Prefecture, traditional handcrafts such as baskets and toys have been made since the early Edo period, especially as a winter livelihood in this snowy region.
Among them, the Akebi vine craft from northern Nagano is known for two distinct types of materials. One is the brown Akebi vine with its outer bark intact, commonly seen in other regions such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata. The other is the gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, which is first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in a river for around a month before the bark is peeled away. Originally, all Akebi basketry in northern Nagano was made using this Muki Akebi.
Although preparing Muki Akebi takes much time and effort before weaving can even begin, baskets made with this material have a unique and subtle beauty found only in this region.
In both cases, only high-quality vines are carefully selected, and a wide variety of basket forms are created with exceptional weaving techniques passed down over generations.
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 made from Muki Akebi (gray Akebi vine), in which the bark is removed using hot spring water or river water.
As its name suggests, this is a rounded basket with a single handle at the top.
Baskets made from the brown Akebi vine with its bark intact have a rustic and earthy charm.
In Nagano, however, there is also a variety called Muki Akebi, in which the bark is removed to reveal a soft gray tone. This basket is made using Muki Akebi.
The basket on the left in the photo is the same shape, but made from bark-on Akebi vine.
It is woven in a technique known locally as Nami-ami.There is no transparency—this is a tightly woven basket. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard weaving styles, along with Sukashi-ami.The Akebi vines form graceful, undulating waves across the surface—an absolutely captivating texture. Because the bark has been removed, the surface feels exceptionally smooth to the touch.Although there is a stitched accent just beneath the rim, from the side the edge appears to be finished with a simple spiral wrap.From above, you can see that the rim is double-layered and firmly wrapped.Here is the inside of the rim. While it looks double-layered from the top, it is in fact triple-wrapped—providing exceptional strength.This is the outer view of where the handle meets the rim. It is firmly secured, and the handle knot acts as a visual accent for the entire basket.From the inside, the connection point is bold and tightly finished—you can almost feel its strength.The handle is made by wrapping Akebi vine around a core of rattan in a coiling technique.The base is also finished in the Nami-ami.There’s a quiet charm in its soft, rounded form that’s hard to describe.It can be carried on the arm like a basket bag,and is perfect for daily errands as well.For camping or picnics, it easily holds lunch boxes, drinks, and ingredients—just load it into the car.Its plump shape has a charming presence, balanced by its well-formed beauty.
While the surface may appear pale under bright light, this material subtly shifts in tone depending on the lighting or weather, offering depth and quiet variation.
When human care is applied to a raw material in its natural state, the result can become something far more beautiful than nature alone.
This basket seems to express that very idea—through both its color and form. Its tone is unlike anything found in nature, the result of a chemical reaction between the vine and mineral-rich spring water, giving it a rich, earthy elegance.
Not only is it perfect for outings and shopping, but it also makes a striking presence in any room as a piece of natural decor.
Gray Akebi Vine (left) and Akebi Vine (right)
With its impressively solid construction, this basket offers lasting stability—one that may stay by your side for decades to come.
Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano
In Nagano Prefecture, traditional handcrafts such as baskets and toys have been made since the early Edo period, especially as a winter livelihood in this snowy region.
Among them, the Akebi vine craft from northern Nagano is known for two distinct types of materials. One is the brown Akebi vine with its outer bark intact, commonly seen in other regions such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata. The other is the gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, which is first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in a river for around a month before the bark is peeled away. Originally, all Akebi basketry in northern Nagano was made using this Muki Akebi.
Although preparing Muki Akebi takes much time and effort before weaving can even begin, baskets made with this material have a unique and subtle beauty found only in this region.
In both cases, only high-quality vines are carefully selected, and a wide variety of basket forms are created with exceptional weaving techniques passed down over generations.
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 made from Muki Akebi (gray Akebi vine), in which the bark is removed using hot spring water or river water.
As its name suggests, this is a rounded basket with a single handle at the top.
Baskets made from the brown Akebi vine with its bark intact have a rustic and earthy charm.
In Nagano, however, there is also a variety called Muki Akebi, in which the bark is removed to reveal a soft gray tone. This basket is made using Muki Akebi.
The basket on the left in the photo is the same shape, but made from bark-on Akebi vine.
It is woven in a technique known locally as Nami-ami.There is no transparency—this is a tightly woven basket. Nami-ami is considered one of the standard weaving styles, along with Sukashi-ami.The Akebi vines form graceful, undulating waves across the surface—an absolutely captivating texture. Because the bark has been removed, the surface feels exceptionally smooth to the touch.Although there is a stitched accent just beneath the rim, from the side the edge appears to be finished with a simple spiral wrap.From above, you can see that the rim is double-layered and firmly wrapped.Here is the inside of the rim. While it looks double-layered from the top, it is in fact triple-wrapped—providing exceptional strength.This is the outer view of where the handle meets the rim. It is firmly secured, and the handle knot acts as a visual accent for the entire basket.From the inside, the connection point is bold and tightly finished—you can almost feel its strength.The handle is made by wrapping Akebi vine around a core of rattan in a coiling technique.The base is also finished in the Nami-ami.There’s a quiet charm in its soft, rounded form that’s hard to describe.It can be carried on the arm like a basket bag,and is perfect for daily errands as well.For camping or picnics, it easily holds lunch boxes, drinks, and ingredients—just load it into the car.Its plump shape has a charming presence, balanced by its well-formed beauty.
While the surface may appear pale under bright light, this material subtly shifts in tone depending on the lighting or weather, offering depth and quiet variation.
When human care is applied to a raw material in its natural state, the result can become something far more beautiful than nature alone.
This basket seems to express that very idea—through both its color and form. Its tone is unlike anything found in nature, the result of a chemical reaction between the vine and mineral-rich spring water, giving it a rich, earthy elegance.
Not only is it perfect for outings and shopping, but it also makes a striking presence in any room as a piece of natural decor.
Gray Akebi Vine (left) and Akebi Vine (right)
With its impressively solid construction, this basket offers lasting stability—one that may stay by your side for decades to come.
Akebi Vine Craft from Northern Nagano
In Nagano Prefecture, traditional handcrafts such as baskets and toys have been made since the early Edo period, especially as a winter livelihood in this snowy region.
Among them, the Akebi vine craft from northern Nagano is known for two distinct types of materials. One is the brown Akebi vine with its outer bark intact, commonly seen in other regions such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata. The other is the gray Akebi vine, known as Muki Akebi, which is first soaked in hot spring water for about a week, then fermented in a river for around a month before the bark is peeled away. Originally, all Akebi basketry in northern Nagano was made using this Muki Akebi.
Although preparing Muki Akebi takes much time and effort before weaving can even begin, baskets made with this material have a unique and subtle beauty found only in this region.
In both cases, only high-quality vines are carefully selected, and a wide variety of basket forms are created with exceptional weaving techniques passed down over generations.
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.
