When speaking of bamboo craft in Miyagi Prefecture, those made from fine shinodake bamboo are the most well-known. At the same time, there are still a few crafts that make use of thick madake bamboo, which is also called karatake in this region.
It is said that the northernmost range of madake bamboo growth on the Pacific side of Japan reaches around Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture. Even in Miyagi, which lies slightly south of that area, baskets made from madake bamboo have long been produced.
Baskets and colanders made from slender shinodake bamboo are sometimes large enough for sake brewing, but more often, they are small and light, used for washing rice, shellfish, mushrooms, or fruits—in other words, for everyday work around the kitchen or table.
By contrast, pieces made from madake bamboo have a completely different character—they are utilitarian rather than ornamental. Large, open, and sturdy, they are made to carry heavy loads, often used in fields or on farms, where ample capacity is essential.
Among such tools, this type is known locally as a “Kama-zaru.” It was used for carrying large amounts of grass feed for cattle, horses, or pigs, and also for transporting fertilizer or crops in the field.
On this page, we introduce two sizes: one with a diameter of about 23.6″ and another about 25.6″. Both can be considered quite large baskets by modern standards.
That said, when actually filled with feed for several cows, horses, or pigs, it would likely be filled and emptied in no time at all.
Both sizes share nearly identical construction and specifications.
It is firmly woven with thick bamboo strips.While household baskets often use only the smooth outer skin of bamboo, this one makes full use of both the outer and inner portions, creating a natural contrast in color.The section that rises from the base is wrapped with narrower strips. (As this is a large, utilitarian basket, please note that some minor splits in the strips may be present.)The rim is reinforced with a thick, wide piece of bamboo, tightly bound with wire.From the rim to the base, reinforcing bamboo strips are inserted for added strength.Each reinforcing strip is folded back and inserted deeply into the inner wall of the basket.Here is the inside view. Although the strips are wide, the weave is dense and carefully arranged to create a basket of this size.The center of the bottom is woven using pairs of strips in an ajiro-ami pattern, which radiates outward to form the vertical framework.Even though it is a large basket, the weaving is consistent and meticulously executed throughout.Looking at the underside, aside from the main reinforcing strips that descend from the rim, two additional reinforcing strips are inserted diagonally across the base, making a total of four supports that ensure the basket’s sturdiness.Now, let us introduce each size. This is the large size.It measures about 23.6″ in diameter and 15.7″ deep, with an inner diameter of approximately 21.3″.This is the extra-large size.It measures about 25.6″ in diameter and 17.7″ deep, with an inner diameter of approximately 23.6″.
Although it may be difficult to imagine using this basket as a practical household item, it could serve well in a spacious entryway or earthen floor area— for storing large amounts of vegetables or harvested crops, gathering assorted tools, or keeping family emergency supplies neatly together.
For professional use, this large bamboo basket—weighing just over 4.4 lb—is both light and sturdy. We highly recommend it for field or shop work. If you require multiple pieces, please feel free to contact us.
As this item exceeds the standard parcel size (160 size), the shipping cost may vary depending on the destination and quantity ordered. If there is any change to the shipping fee, we will inform you in the order confirmation email sent from our store (separate from the automated confirmation message).
When speaking of bamboo craft in Miyagi Prefecture, those made from fine shinodake bamboo are the most well-known. At the same time, there are still a few crafts that make use of thick madake bamboo, which is also called karatake in this region.
It is said that the northernmost range of madake bamboo growth on the Pacific side of Japan reaches around Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture. Even in Miyagi, which lies slightly south of that area, baskets made from madake bamboo have long been produced.
Baskets and colanders made from slender shinodake bamboo are sometimes large enough for sake brewing, but more often, they are small and light, used for washing rice, shellfish, mushrooms, or fruits—in other words, for everyday work around the kitchen or table.
By contrast, pieces made from madake bamboo have a completely different character—they are utilitarian rather than ornamental. Large, open, and sturdy, they are made to carry heavy loads, often used in fields or on farms, where ample capacity is essential.
Among such tools, this type is known locally as a “Kama-zaru.” It was used for carrying large amounts of grass feed for cattle, horses, or pigs, and also for transporting fertilizer or crops in the field.
On this page, we introduce two sizes: one with a diameter of about 23.6″ and another about 25.6″. Both can be considered quite large baskets by modern standards.
That said, when actually filled with feed for several cows, horses, or pigs, it would likely be filled and emptied in no time at all.
Both sizes share nearly identical construction and specifications.
It is firmly woven with thick bamboo strips.While household baskets often use only the smooth outer skin of bamboo, this one makes full use of both the outer and inner portions, creating a natural contrast in color.The section that rises from the base is wrapped with narrower strips. (As this is a large, utilitarian basket, please note that some minor splits in the strips may be present.)The rim is reinforced with a thick, wide piece of bamboo, tightly bound with wire.From the rim to the base, reinforcing bamboo strips are inserted for added strength.Each reinforcing strip is folded back and inserted deeply into the inner wall of the basket.Here is the inside view. Although the strips are wide, the weave is dense and carefully arranged to create a basket of this size.The center of the bottom is woven using pairs of strips in an ajiro-ami pattern, which radiates outward to form the vertical framework.Even though it is a large basket, the weaving is consistent and meticulously executed throughout.Looking at the underside, aside from the main reinforcing strips that descend from the rim, two additional reinforcing strips are inserted diagonally across the base, making a total of four supports that ensure the basket’s sturdiness.Now, let us introduce each size. This is the large size.It measures about 23.6″ in diameter and 15.7″ deep, with an inner diameter of approximately 21.3″.This is the extra-large size.It measures about 25.6″ in diameter and 17.7″ deep, with an inner diameter of approximately 23.6″.
Although it may be difficult to imagine using this basket as a practical household item, it could serve well in a spacious entryway or earthen floor area— for storing large amounts of vegetables or harvested crops, gathering assorted tools, or keeping family emergency supplies neatly together.
For professional use, this large bamboo basket—weighing just over 4.4 lb—is both light and sturdy. We highly recommend it for field or shop work. If you require multiple pieces, please feel free to contact us.
As this item exceeds the standard parcel size (160 size), the shipping cost may vary depending on the destination and quantity ordered. If there is any change to the shipping fee, we will inform you in the order confirmation email sent from our store (separate from the automated confirmation message).
When speaking of bamboo craft in Miyagi Prefecture, those made from fine shinodake bamboo are the most well-known. At the same time, there are still a few crafts that make use of thick madake bamboo, which is also called karatake in this region.
It is said that the northernmost range of madake bamboo growth on the Pacific side of Japan reaches around Ichinoseki City in Iwate Prefecture. Even in Miyagi, which lies slightly south of that area, baskets made from madake bamboo have long been produced.
Baskets and colanders made from slender shinodake bamboo are sometimes large enough for sake brewing, but more often, they are small and light, used for washing rice, shellfish, mushrooms, or fruits—in other words, for everyday work around the kitchen or table.
By contrast, pieces made from madake bamboo have a completely different character—they are utilitarian rather than ornamental. Large, open, and sturdy, they are made to carry heavy loads, often used in fields or on farms, where ample capacity is essential.
Among such tools, this type is known locally as a “Kama-zaru.” It was used for carrying large amounts of grass feed for cattle, horses, or pigs, and also for transporting fertilizer or crops in the field.
On this page, we introduce two sizes: one with a diameter of about 23.6″ and another about 25.6″. Both can be considered quite large baskets by modern standards.
That said, when actually filled with feed for several cows, horses, or pigs, it would likely be filled and emptied in no time at all.
Both sizes share nearly identical construction and specifications.
It is firmly woven with thick bamboo strips.While household baskets often use only the smooth outer skin of bamboo, this one makes full use of both the outer and inner portions, creating a natural contrast in color.The section that rises from the base is wrapped with narrower strips. (As this is a large, utilitarian basket, please note that some minor splits in the strips may be present.)The rim is reinforced with a thick, wide piece of bamboo, tightly bound with wire.From the rim to the base, reinforcing bamboo strips are inserted for added strength.Each reinforcing strip is folded back and inserted deeply into the inner wall of the basket.Here is the inside view. Although the strips are wide, the weave is dense and carefully arranged to create a basket of this size.The center of the bottom is woven using pairs of strips in an ajiro-ami pattern, which radiates outward to form the vertical framework.Even though it is a large basket, the weaving is consistent and meticulously executed throughout.Looking at the underside, aside from the main reinforcing strips that descend from the rim, two additional reinforcing strips are inserted diagonally across the base, making a total of four supports that ensure the basket’s sturdiness.Now, let us introduce each size. This is the large size.It measures about 23.6″ in diameter and 15.7″ deep, with an inner diameter of approximately 21.3″.This is the extra-large size.It measures about 25.6″ in diameter and 17.7″ deep, with an inner diameter of approximately 23.6″.
Although it may be difficult to imagine using this basket as a practical household item, it could serve well in a spacious entryway or earthen floor area— for storing large amounts of vegetables or harvested crops, gathering assorted tools, or keeping family emergency supplies neatly together.
For professional use, this large bamboo basket—weighing just over 4.4 lb—is both light and sturdy. We highly recommend it for field or shop work. If you require multiple pieces, please feel free to contact us.
As this item exceeds the standard parcel size (160 size), the shipping cost may vary depending on the destination and quantity ordered. If there is any change to the shipping fee, we will inform you in the order confirmation email sent from our store (separate from the automated confirmation message).
