Eel and Loach Trap “Dojo-do” / Shinodake Bamboo / Miyagi-JPN 330108-1 宮城県/篠竹 どじょうど（うなぎやどじょう釣り用の仕掛け） ルイ版
Eel and Loach Trap “Dojo-do” / Shinodake Bamboo / Miyagi-JPN 330108-1 宮城県/篠竹 どじょうど（うなぎやどじょう釣り用の仕掛け） ルイ版
In Miyagi Prefecture, traditional bamboo crafts made from fine shinodake bamboo are especially well known.
Most of these crafts are made for kitchen use, valued for their smooth texture, light weight, and ease of handling—qualities that remain practical even today.
This piece will surely strike a chord with anyone familiar with traditional fishing tools.
It is placed in a stream or shallow river with bait inside, and when you return later, you may find eels or loaches that have slipped in while searching for food—a remarkably clever tool for fishing and river play.
This traditional trap takes advantage of the natural behavior of eels and loaches, which like to enter narrow spaces. Similar woven traps can be found not only in Japan but in many other countries as well.
In this region, it is known as “Dojo-do.” Depending on the area, it may also be called “do,” “zu,” “uke,” or “tebo.”
There are larger versions made specifically for catching eels, but this one belongs to the smaller type.The entire trap is woven solely from shinodake bamboo. On the exterior, the fibrous inner surface of the bamboo is visible, while the smooth outer skin faces inward. This orientation prevents damage to the catch and allows it to be removed easily after trapping.The rim is made in a simple, straightforward manner.Around the upper edge, a layer of straw-like grass is wrapped. Some parts may show peeling or fraying, but these are not defects.A small loop is attached for hanging or handling.Eels are said to be drawn into the tube as if sucked toward the bait placed inside.Once inside, a set of inward-facing slats prevents them from escaping. It is tied securely with vinyl cord.This is the tapered tip of the trap. It is tightly closed with bamboo strips, so the catch cannot escape from this end. If it becomes loose, you may tie it with a string to secure it.After catching, transfer the eels into a bucket or container—take care not to let them slip away.When the trap has successfully caught fish, you can twist the Dojo-do with your hands to open the lower mouth. The flexibility of bamboo is cleverly used here—but please take care not to injure your hands on bamboo splinters.
Because this tool is meant for river use and is woven with the smooth outer skin of bamboo on the inside, the exterior may appear rough and unfinished. Please handle with care to avoid splinters.
This simple tool made from shinodake bamboo reminds us that not only children but also adults once enjoyed the natural world around them.
Its use is very simple: place bait inside, and set it in the river, securing it so it won’t be carried away by the current.
The choice of bait varies by region and by person— some use crushed shellfish, others small shrimp, worms, or even pieces of bread.
It’s fun to experiment with different baits, as long as it’s done responsibly and without polluting the river. Today, some people even make their own Dojo-do using plastic bottles, but why not return to the charm of traditional bamboo tools once again?
While we should refrain from overfishing the wild eels that are now endangered, we hope you’ll enjoy this tool with care and respect as a personal pastime.
According to those who have used it, there are even times when the Dojo-do itself gets stolen from the river— so please be mindful of that as well.
From a completely different perspective, some people also use this piece as a lamp shade, vase, or stage prop. We hope you’ll enjoy this authentic, time-honored tool in whichever way suits your creativity.
__Traditional shinodake bamboo craft from Iwadeyama, Miyagi Prefecture__
In Iwadeyama, Osaki City—about 50 kilometers north of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture— it is said that basket and colander making began as a side craft for samurai families during the Edo period. Using shinodake bamboo—a flexible variety of bamboo that grows naturally in the region— they crafted baskets and household tools suited to daily use or professional needs.
Baskets made from shinodake in Miyagi are known above all for being extremely light and gentle to the touch, making them ideal for everyday kitchen use.
At its peak, more than eighty kinds of baskets and colanders were made. However, with the passing of time, both the variety and production have greatly declined. Today, the simple, traditional baskets made entirely from shinodake bamboo— without using madake bamboo for the rims—are now crafted only by a few elderly artisans.
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.
In Miyagi Prefecture, traditional bamboo crafts made from fine shinodake bamboo are especially well known.
Most of these crafts are made for kitchen use, valued for their smooth texture, light weight, and ease of handling—qualities that remain practical even today.
This piece will surely strike a chord with anyone familiar with traditional fishing tools.
It is placed in a stream or shallow river with bait inside, and when you return later, you may find eels or loaches that have slipped in while searching for food—a remarkably clever tool for fishing and river play.
This traditional trap takes advantage of the natural behavior of eels and loaches, which like to enter narrow spaces. Similar woven traps can be found not only in Japan but in many other countries as well.
In this region, it is known as “Dojo-do.” Depending on the area, it may also be called “do,” “zu,” “uke,” or “tebo.”
There are larger versions made specifically for catching eels, but this one belongs to the smaller type.The entire trap is woven solely from shinodake bamboo. On the exterior, the fibrous inner surface of the bamboo is visible, while the smooth outer skin faces inward. This orientation prevents damage to the catch and allows it to be removed easily after trapping.The rim is made in a simple, straightforward manner.Around the upper edge, a layer of straw-like grass is wrapped. Some parts may show peeling or fraying, but these are not defects.A small loop is attached for hanging or handling.Eels are said to be drawn into the tube as if sucked toward the bait placed inside.Once inside, a set of inward-facing slats prevents them from escaping. It is tied securely with vinyl cord.This is the tapered tip of the trap. It is tightly closed with bamboo strips, so the catch cannot escape from this end. If it becomes loose, you may tie it with a string to secure it.After catching, transfer the eels into a bucket or container—take care not to let them slip away.When the trap has successfully caught fish, you can twist the Dojo-do with your hands to open the lower mouth. The flexibility of bamboo is cleverly used here—but please take care not to injure your hands on bamboo splinters.
Because this tool is meant for river use and is woven with the smooth outer skin of bamboo on the inside, the exterior may appear rough and unfinished. Please handle with care to avoid splinters.
This simple tool made from shinodake bamboo reminds us that not only children but also adults once enjoyed the natural world around them.
Its use is very simple: place bait inside, and set it in the river, securing it so it won’t be carried away by the current.
The choice of bait varies by region and by person— some use crushed shellfish, others small shrimp, worms, or even pieces of bread.
It’s fun to experiment with different baits, as long as it’s done responsibly and without polluting the river. Today, some people even make their own Dojo-do using plastic bottles, but why not return to the charm of traditional bamboo tools once again?
While we should refrain from overfishing the wild eels that are now endangered, we hope you’ll enjoy this tool with care and respect as a personal pastime.
According to those who have used it, there are even times when the Dojo-do itself gets stolen from the river— so please be mindful of that as well.
From a completely different perspective, some people also use this piece as a lamp shade, vase, or stage prop. We hope you’ll enjoy this authentic, time-honored tool in whichever way suits your creativity.
__Traditional shinodake bamboo craft from Iwadeyama, Miyagi Prefecture__
In Iwadeyama, Osaki City—about 50 kilometers north of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture— it is said that basket and colander making began as a side craft for samurai families during the Edo period. Using shinodake bamboo—a flexible variety of bamboo that grows naturally in the region— they crafted baskets and household tools suited to daily use or professional needs.
Baskets made from shinodake in Miyagi are known above all for being extremely light and gentle to the touch, making them ideal for everyday kitchen use.
At its peak, more than eighty kinds of baskets and colanders were made. However, with the passing of time, both the variety and production have greatly declined. Today, the simple, traditional baskets made entirely from shinodake bamboo— without using madake bamboo for the rims—are now crafted only by a few elderly artisans.
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.
In Miyagi Prefecture, traditional bamboo crafts made from fine shinodake bamboo are especially well known.
Most of these crafts are made for kitchen use, valued for their smooth texture, light weight, and ease of handling—qualities that remain practical even today.
This piece will surely strike a chord with anyone familiar with traditional fishing tools.
It is placed in a stream or shallow river with bait inside, and when you return later, you may find eels or loaches that have slipped in while searching for food—a remarkably clever tool for fishing and river play.
This traditional trap takes advantage of the natural behavior of eels and loaches, which like to enter narrow spaces. Similar woven traps can be found not only in Japan but in many other countries as well.
In this region, it is known as “Dojo-do.” Depending on the area, it may also be called “do,” “zu,” “uke,” or “tebo.”
There are larger versions made specifically for catching eels, but this one belongs to the smaller type.The entire trap is woven solely from shinodake bamboo. On the exterior, the fibrous inner surface of the bamboo is visible, while the smooth outer skin faces inward. This orientation prevents damage to the catch and allows it to be removed easily after trapping.The rim is made in a simple, straightforward manner.Around the upper edge, a layer of straw-like grass is wrapped. Some parts may show peeling or fraying, but these are not defects.A small loop is attached for hanging or handling.Eels are said to be drawn into the tube as if sucked toward the bait placed inside.Once inside, a set of inward-facing slats prevents them from escaping. It is tied securely with vinyl cord.This is the tapered tip of the trap. It is tightly closed with bamboo strips, so the catch cannot escape from this end. If it becomes loose, you may tie it with a string to secure it.After catching, transfer the eels into a bucket or container—take care not to let them slip away.When the trap has successfully caught fish, you can twist the Dojo-do with your hands to open the lower mouth. The flexibility of bamboo is cleverly used here—but please take care not to injure your hands on bamboo splinters.
Because this tool is meant for river use and is woven with the smooth outer skin of bamboo on the inside, the exterior may appear rough and unfinished. Please handle with care to avoid splinters.
This simple tool made from shinodake bamboo reminds us that not only children but also adults once enjoyed the natural world around them.
Its use is very simple: place bait inside, and set it in the river, securing it so it won’t be carried away by the current.
The choice of bait varies by region and by person— some use crushed shellfish, others small shrimp, worms, or even pieces of bread.
It’s fun to experiment with different baits, as long as it’s done responsibly and without polluting the river. Today, some people even make their own Dojo-do using plastic bottles, but why not return to the charm of traditional bamboo tools once again?
While we should refrain from overfishing the wild eels that are now endangered, we hope you’ll enjoy this tool with care and respect as a personal pastime.
According to those who have used it, there are even times when the Dojo-do itself gets stolen from the river— so please be mindful of that as well.
From a completely different perspective, some people also use this piece as a lamp shade, vase, or stage prop. We hope you’ll enjoy this authentic, time-honored tool in whichever way suits your creativity.
__Traditional shinodake bamboo craft from Iwadeyama, Miyagi Prefecture__
In Iwadeyama, Osaki City—about 50 kilometers north of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture— it is said that basket and colander making began as a side craft for samurai families during the Edo period. Using shinodake bamboo—a flexible variety of bamboo that grows naturally in the region— they crafted baskets and household tools suited to daily use or professional needs.
Baskets made from shinodake in Miyagi are known above all for being extremely light and gentle to the touch, making them ideal for everyday kitchen use.
At its peak, more than eighty kinds of baskets and colanders were made. However, with the passing of time, both the variety and production have greatly declined. Today, the simple, traditional baskets made entirely from shinodake bamboo— without using madake bamboo for the rims—are now crafted only by a few elderly artisans.
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.
