This handheld basket is woven using the bark of sawagurumi (Japanese walnut).
The bark of walnut trees is harvested at its peak from spring through the rainy season, when the material is rich with moisture.
Sawagurumi, as its name suggests, is a species of walnut that grows naturally along mountain streams and shallow valleys.
Unlike yamagurumi, which grows in the mountains, the nuts of sawagurumi are not used for food. Instead, the tree has the characteristic of letting its seeds travel downstream, carried away by the flow of nearby streams.
For basketry, young trees that are two to three years old are used.Sawagurumi grows in clusters like this, sprouting multiple stems from the base.Further up, the stems branch out in this way.Not all of the clustered stems are cut; only two or three are selected and harvested.Freshly cut stems glisten with a silvery sheen when touched by the sunlight.A small cut is made in the bark of the freshly cut stem, and the bark is peeled away from the core. This is the sawagurumi bark right after peeling. The inner surface begins as a fresh, creamy color, but over time it deepens into a rich, dark brown.The core left after peeling is returned to the mountains. After about a year, it breaks down into a soft, crumbly state, preparing to return to the soil.This bark has been left for some time after peeling. The inner layer visible on the surface has begun to take on a warm brown tone, and its color will continue to deepen as it ages.
Here, we would like to introduce a handheld basket crafted from this walnut bark.
Though modest in size, this basket bag has a bright, uplifting presence thanks to the light tone of the outer bark, and its form is clean and elegantly composed.
It is woven so that the pale brown outer bark of the walnut faces outward, giving the surface its gentle, natural tone.It is finished in the “checker weave” style, with walnut strips woven vertically and horizontally in an alternating pattern. A few of the horizontal strips are wider, adding variation to the design.The outer bark allows you to enjoy the natural texture and character of walnut just as it is.Just below the rim, two rows of outer-bark stitching run around the basket.This is the view of the rim from above. The weaving is secured firmly from both the outside and inside of the basket.This is the handle area of the basket. Both the handle and the rim are woven so that the pale brown outer bark is visible.Akébi vine is used as the core material inside the handle. The core is wrapped and finished with walnut bark, then securely attached to the body of the basket.This is the bottom of the basket. Unlike the sides, which use a different weave, the base is made with the ajiro-ami (over–under) pattern. One basket allows you to enjoy two weaving styles, both of which are tightly and neatly woven.The basket has a firm gusset, allowing a long wallet to fit inside even when placed on its side.Perfect for days when you want to carry just a few essentials and keep things compact.It is sized to hold just the essentials — a wallet, keys, smartphone, handkerchief, and other small items.Depending on the angle of the basket bag, the wider stripes become a playful accent, giving the piece a visually enjoyable character.
The materials are carefully prepared, so there is no roughness — the surface feels smooth, clean, and pleasantly light to the touch.
Each walnut-bark strip has its own subtle tone and texture, and together they give the basket a sense of depth and character.
Bring the basket close and you can enjoy the rich, natural aroma of walnut. And the more you gently run your hand over the surface, the more luster the basket develops as it absorbs the natural oils from your skin.
Even when not in use, simply touching or gently stroking the basket helps care for it, and over time it will deepen in character and become a truly cherished piece.
This small basket bag adds a lovely accent to your outfit and can be enjoyed throughout the year. We hope it brings a bit of pleasure to your everyday moments, in every season.
Original and uniquely crafted barkwork from Iwate.
In this region blessed with abundant nature, these artisans create their work using materials such as walnut bark and wild grapevine.
Their pieces are rich in variety—both in design and in proportion—and always bring a sense of delight when we encounter them.
They walk the mountains of Iwate themselves, selecting and harvesting only the finest materials. The care they put into preparing each piece of bark, and the time they devote before the weaving even begins, set their work apart. From their distinctive approach to design to the way each basket is brought to life, their craft is truly unlike any other.
This handheld basket is woven using the bark of sawagurumi (Japanese walnut).
The bark of walnut trees is harvested at its peak from spring through the rainy season, when the material is rich with moisture.
Sawagurumi, as its name suggests, is a species of walnut that grows naturally along mountain streams and shallow valleys.
Unlike yamagurumi, which grows in the mountains, the nuts of sawagurumi are not used for food. Instead, the tree has the characteristic of letting its seeds travel downstream, carried away by the flow of nearby streams.
For basketry, young trees that are two to three years old are used.Sawagurumi grows in clusters like this, sprouting multiple stems from the base.Further up, the stems branch out in this way.Not all of the clustered stems are cut; only two or three are selected and harvested.Freshly cut stems glisten with a silvery sheen when touched by the sunlight.A small cut is made in the bark of the freshly cut stem, and the bark is peeled away from the core. This is the sawagurumi bark right after peeling. The inner surface begins as a fresh, creamy color, but over time it deepens into a rich, dark brown.The core left after peeling is returned to the mountains. After about a year, it breaks down into a soft, crumbly state, preparing to return to the soil.This bark has been left for some time after peeling. The inner layer visible on the surface has begun to take on a warm brown tone, and its color will continue to deepen as it ages.
Here, we would like to introduce a handheld basket crafted from this walnut bark.
Though modest in size, this basket bag has a bright, uplifting presence thanks to the light tone of the outer bark, and its form is clean and elegantly composed.
It is woven so that the pale brown outer bark of the walnut faces outward, giving the surface its gentle, natural tone.It is finished in the “checker weave” style, with walnut strips woven vertically and horizontally in an alternating pattern. A few of the horizontal strips are wider, adding variation to the design.The outer bark allows you to enjoy the natural texture and character of walnut just as it is.Just below the rim, two rows of outer-bark stitching run around the basket.This is the view of the rim from above. The weaving is secured firmly from both the outside and inside of the basket.This is the handle area of the basket. Both the handle and the rim are woven so that the pale brown outer bark is visible.Akébi vine is used as the core material inside the handle. The core is wrapped and finished with walnut bark, then securely attached to the body of the basket.This is the bottom of the basket. Unlike the sides, which use a different weave, the base is made with the ajiro-ami (over–under) pattern. One basket allows you to enjoy two weaving styles, both of which are tightly and neatly woven.The basket has a firm gusset, allowing a long wallet to fit inside even when placed on its side.Perfect for days when you want to carry just a few essentials and keep things compact.It is sized to hold just the essentials — a wallet, keys, smartphone, handkerchief, and other small items.Depending on the angle of the basket bag, the wider stripes become a playful accent, giving the piece a visually enjoyable character.
The materials are carefully prepared, so there is no roughness — the surface feels smooth, clean, and pleasantly light to the touch.
Each walnut-bark strip has its own subtle tone and texture, and together they give the basket a sense of depth and character.
Bring the basket close and you can enjoy the rich, natural aroma of walnut. And the more you gently run your hand over the surface, the more luster the basket develops as it absorbs the natural oils from your skin.
Even when not in use, simply touching or gently stroking the basket helps care for it, and over time it will deepen in character and become a truly cherished piece.
This small basket bag adds a lovely accent to your outfit and can be enjoyed throughout the year. We hope it brings a bit of pleasure to your everyday moments, in every season.
Original and uniquely crafted barkwork from Iwate.
In this region blessed with abundant nature, these artisans create their work using materials such as walnut bark and wild grapevine.
Their pieces are rich in variety—both in design and in proportion—and always bring a sense of delight when we encounter them.
They walk the mountains of Iwate themselves, selecting and harvesting only the finest materials. The care they put into preparing each piece of bark, and the time they devote before the weaving even begins, set their work apart. From their distinctive approach to design to the way each basket is brought to life, their craft is truly unlike any other.
This handheld basket is woven using the bark of sawagurumi (Japanese walnut).
The bark of walnut trees is harvested at its peak from spring through the rainy season, when the material is rich with moisture.
Sawagurumi, as its name suggests, is a species of walnut that grows naturally along mountain streams and shallow valleys.
Unlike yamagurumi, which grows in the mountains, the nuts of sawagurumi are not used for food. Instead, the tree has the characteristic of letting its seeds travel downstream, carried away by the flow of nearby streams.
For basketry, young trees that are two to three years old are used.Sawagurumi grows in clusters like this, sprouting multiple stems from the base.Further up, the stems branch out in this way.Not all of the clustered stems are cut; only two or three are selected and harvested.Freshly cut stems glisten with a silvery sheen when touched by the sunlight.A small cut is made in the bark of the freshly cut stem, and the bark is peeled away from the core. This is the sawagurumi bark right after peeling. The inner surface begins as a fresh, creamy color, but over time it deepens into a rich, dark brown.The core left after peeling is returned to the mountains. After about a year, it breaks down into a soft, crumbly state, preparing to return to the soil.This bark has been left for some time after peeling. The inner layer visible on the surface has begun to take on a warm brown tone, and its color will continue to deepen as it ages.
Here, we would like to introduce a handheld basket crafted from this walnut bark.
Though modest in size, this basket bag has a bright, uplifting presence thanks to the light tone of the outer bark, and its form is clean and elegantly composed.
It is woven so that the pale brown outer bark of the walnut faces outward, giving the surface its gentle, natural tone.It is finished in the “checker weave” style, with walnut strips woven vertically and horizontally in an alternating pattern. A few of the horizontal strips are wider, adding variation to the design.The outer bark allows you to enjoy the natural texture and character of walnut just as it is.Just below the rim, two rows of outer-bark stitching run around the basket.This is the view of the rim from above. The weaving is secured firmly from both the outside and inside of the basket.This is the handle area of the basket. Both the handle and the rim are woven so that the pale brown outer bark is visible.Akébi vine is used as the core material inside the handle. The core is wrapped and finished with walnut bark, then securely attached to the body of the basket.This is the bottom of the basket. Unlike the sides, which use a different weave, the base is made with the ajiro-ami (over–under) pattern. One basket allows you to enjoy two weaving styles, both of which are tightly and neatly woven.The basket has a firm gusset, allowing a long wallet to fit inside even when placed on its side.Perfect for days when you want to carry just a few essentials and keep things compact.It is sized to hold just the essentials — a wallet, keys, smartphone, handkerchief, and other small items.Depending on the angle of the basket bag, the wider stripes become a playful accent, giving the piece a visually enjoyable character.
The materials are carefully prepared, so there is no roughness — the surface feels smooth, clean, and pleasantly light to the touch.
Each walnut-bark strip has its own subtle tone and texture, and together they give the basket a sense of depth and character.
Bring the basket close and you can enjoy the rich, natural aroma of walnut. And the more you gently run your hand over the surface, the more luster the basket develops as it absorbs the natural oils from your skin.
Even when not in use, simply touching or gently stroking the basket helps care for it, and over time it will deepen in character and become a truly cherished piece.
This small basket bag adds a lovely accent to your outfit and can be enjoyed throughout the year. We hope it brings a bit of pleasure to your everyday moments, in every season.
Original and uniquely crafted barkwork from Iwate.
In this region blessed with abundant nature, these artisans create their work using materials such as walnut bark and wild grapevine.
Their pieces are rich in variety—both in design and in proportion—and always bring a sense of delight when we encounter them.
They walk the mountains of Iwate themselves, selecting and harvesting only the finest materials. The care they put into preparing each piece of bark, and the time they devote before the weaving even begins, set their work apart. From their distinctive approach to design to the way each basket is brought to life, their craft is truly unlike any other.
