This is a handwoven tote made from Suzutake bamboo. It is also commonly known as a “Market Basket.”
The bamboo strips, prepared to be roughly uniform in length and width, are woven in groups of three using the traditional ajiro-ami technique.Some areas of the bamboo may occasionally appear purple or blackish. This color develops naturally through exposure to ultraviolet light after the outer skin has peeled away. We hope you will see this as a natural pattern. This does not affect use.The weave forms neat rows.The rim of the basket has a core of madake bamboo. Rattan is wound around it and secured in place.Looking at the basket from above, you can see that the rattan is tightly wound around the rim with no gaps.The handle and rim are fastened together with hemp rope, and the handle is finished with an additional layer of rattan over the rope.This is a view from inside the basket.The handles are movable.They open this wide when placing items into the basket.The base of the basket is reinforced with three strips of madake bamboo.Basket dimensions vary from piece to piece. Depending on the item you receive, the width and depth may be 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18″) larger than the listed measurements. Please be aware of this.This shows how it looks when held.
Suzutake bamboo is characterized by the glossy sheen of its outer skin, its soft, springy feel that is pleasant to the touch, and its strength.
Another pleasure is watching its color gradually turn amber over time. It is such a fine material that even after it has turned amber through years of use, its outer skin still takes on a sheen when washed with water.
This basket is great for everyday shopping, and when heading out for a picnic or camping, you can fill it with lunch, drinks, and ingredients, then load it straight into the car.
It also comes in handy for travel and outings where you need to carry bulky items.
Of course, it also looks lovely simply used as a storage basket at home.
As its name suggests, this “Market Basket” is widely used by professional chefs who visit local markets daily to shop for fresh ingredients. It is built to be strong enough to carry plenty of vegetables, fish, or meat.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
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 tote made from Suzutake bamboo. It is also commonly known as a “Market Basket.”
The bamboo strips, prepared to be roughly uniform in length and width, are woven in groups of three using the traditional ajiro-ami technique.Some areas of the bamboo may occasionally appear purple or blackish. This color develops naturally through exposure to ultraviolet light after the outer skin has peeled away. We hope you will see this as a natural pattern. This does not affect use.The weave forms neat rows.The rim of the basket has a core of madake bamboo. Rattan is wound around it and secured in place.Looking at the basket from above, you can see that the rattan is tightly wound around the rim with no gaps.The handle and rim are fastened together with hemp rope, and the handle is finished with an additional layer of rattan over the rope.This is a view from inside the basket.The handles are movable.They open this wide when placing items into the basket.The base of the basket is reinforced with three strips of madake bamboo.Basket dimensions vary from piece to piece. Depending on the item you receive, the width and depth may be 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18″) larger than the listed measurements. Please be aware of this.This shows how it looks when held.
Suzutake bamboo is characterized by the glossy sheen of its outer skin, its soft, springy feel that is pleasant to the touch, and its strength.
Another pleasure is watching its color gradually turn amber over time. It is such a fine material that even after it has turned amber through years of use, its outer skin still takes on a sheen when washed with water.
This basket is great for everyday shopping, and when heading out for a picnic or camping, you can fill it with lunch, drinks, and ingredients, then load it straight into the car.
It also comes in handy for travel and outings where you need to carry bulky items.
Of course, it also looks lovely simply used as a storage basket at home.
As its name suggests, this “Market Basket” is widely used by professional chefs who visit local markets daily to shop for fresh ingredients. It is built to be strong enough to carry plenty of vegetables, fish, or meat.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
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 tote made from Suzutake bamboo. It is also commonly known as a “Market Basket.”
The bamboo strips, prepared to be roughly uniform in length and width, are woven in groups of three using the traditional ajiro-ami technique.Some areas of the bamboo may occasionally appear purple or blackish. This color develops naturally through exposure to ultraviolet light after the outer skin has peeled away. We hope you will see this as a natural pattern. This does not affect use.The weave forms neat rows.The rim of the basket has a core of madake bamboo. Rattan is wound around it and secured in place.Looking at the basket from above, you can see that the rattan is tightly wound around the rim with no gaps.The handle and rim are fastened together with hemp rope, and the handle is finished with an additional layer of rattan over the rope.This is a view from inside the basket.The handles are movable.They open this wide when placing items into the basket.The base of the basket is reinforced with three strips of madake bamboo.Basket dimensions vary from piece to piece. Depending on the item you receive, the width and depth may be 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18″) larger than the listed measurements. Please be aware of this.This shows how it looks when held.
Suzutake bamboo is characterized by the glossy sheen of its outer skin, its soft, springy feel that is pleasant to the touch, and its strength.
Another pleasure is watching its color gradually turn amber over time. It is such a fine material that even after it has turned amber through years of use, its outer skin still takes on a sheen when washed with water.
This basket is great for everyday shopping, and when heading out for a picnic or camping, you can fill it with lunch, drinks, and ingredients, then load it straight into the car.
It also comes in handy for travel and outings where you need to carry bulky items.
Of course, it also looks lovely simply used as a storage basket at home.
As its name suggests, this “Market Basket” is widely used by professional chefs who visit local markets daily to shop for fresh ingredients. It is built to be strong enough to carry plenty of vegetables, fish, or meat.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
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.
