Keep it long, treasure it long.

The craftsmanship of wrapping thin rattan

A basketry shopping basket handed down in northern Nagano Prefecture. The technique was passed down from a traveler about 180 years ago, and it is a tool for daily life that has been carefully woven until now. Craftsmen dye white rattan material, soften it with water, and weave it with quick hands while fitting it to a wooden mold.

Craftsmanship shines

Nagano's basketry is currently dominated by rattan baskets imported from Indonesia. Indonesian rattan is said to be the strongest and highest quality in the world, and is famous as a national specialty. It is known for being lightweight and durable, and is also the perfect material for bags that can hold a lot of luggage.

The finished shape, which is carefully wrapped around thin rattan strips, has a warmth and flavor that can only be achieved by hand. The slightly retro design, reminiscent of the old-fashioned shopping baskets from the Showa era, is somehow fresh now, and has a charm that calms the Japanese heart when you hold it. This rattan shopping basket is carefully woven and you can feel relieved.

The wide handles make it easy to put your arms through, so you can literally use it as a shopping basket. In addition, the large opening makes it easy to put things in and take them out, so it is good for everyday use and also recommended as a picnic bag. The charm of rattan shopping baskets is that you can enjoy the aging process unique to natural rattan, and it is perfect as an interior decoration to store small items that tend to look messy.

Learn about tools rooted in daily life

Even for the same purpose, different materials, shapes and weaves. Unlike expensive traditional crafts, basket products from all over Japan and the world give a glimpse into the characteristics of the region, the rooted lifestyle, and even the personalities of the people, and they are also an opportunity to learn about familiar history and techniques. They have a warmth that is not found in the perfect plastic and stainless steel products made by modern automation, and each one retains the individuality of the material and traces of handiwork as if it were a one-of-a-kind item. Since it is a natural material that requires a lot of effort to collect, we hope that you will understand that small cracks, tears, and twists in the finished product do not affect its use as a tool as a handmade product and enjoy the handiwork.