Gara-bou Spun Cotton Stoles and Walnut Bark Baskets
Hello. This is Aya Ichikawa from 1basketry.
At our physical shop, we are currently holding “The One Table” – Baskets and Gara-bou Spun Cotton Stoles –,
featuring and offering for sale a collection of walnut, akebi vine, and willow baskets together with Gara-bou spun cotton stoles.
Gara-bou spun cotton stoles have a soft, airy texture that gently warms the body.
I myself use them in various sizes for nearly three seasons—from the early days of autumn, when the air first turns a little cool, to the spring months with their wide differences between day and night temperatures.
One day at home, my eyes drifted to a stole and a basket placed beside it, and the pairing quietly caught my attention.
It should have been an ordinary scene for me, yet the gentle presence of the Gara-bou stole and the basket side by side drew me in anew, leaving me with a warm, lingering feeling.
In this journal, we would like to introduce a walnut bark basket bag that pairs beautifully with Gara-bou stoles.
This walnut basket bag is crafted in Iwate by artisan Toshio Sasaki.
It is made from the bark of the sawagurumi (Japanese walnut), and the combination of the bark’s front side (a soft, light brown) and back side (a deep, darker brown) creates a variety of patterns and expressions.
Each piece comes in its own shape and design, making every bag truly one of a kind.
I hope you will find one that speaks to you.
The walnut basket bags are also available on our official online shop.
Please take a look there as well.
Both the baskets and the Gara-bou stoles can be ordered for delivery.
Please feel free to contact us by email or phone.
＊Here is the page for the walnut basket bags.
“Checker” Wide Line
Although compact in size, this basket bag has a refined shape, and the bright tone of the walnut bark gives it a clear, uplifting presence.
“Checker” Under-Check
The bright surface bark and its checkered pattern give this basket a striking, eye-catching look.
“Checker Puzzle”
A small basket bag that highlights the playful contrast between the light outer bark and the deeper inner bark.
“Softly Rounded Checker”
With its gently rounded form and the rich, dark tone of the inner bark used predominantly, this basket has a calm and quietly composed character.
“Checker Outer-Bark with Inner-Bark Center”
A slim, clean-lined basket bag with a narrow gusset. Its soft, light outer bark is accented by a vertical stripe of darker inner bark running through the center.
“Checker — Inner Bark Shallow with Outer Line”
Its shallow shape and the light brown accent pattern of the outer bark create a basket that quietly draws the eye.
“All-Outer-Bark Ajiro Weave”
A neatly crafted basket bag featuring a fine, tightly woven ajiro pattern made entirely from outer bark.
“Checker All-Inner-Bark Mini”
In this basket bag, the inner side of the walnut bark is used not only for the body but also for the handle and rim. Even within the inner bark, each strip carries its own subtle differences in tone and texture, giving the basket a deeper and more nuanced expression.
“Tiny Inner-Bark Checker with Outer-Bark Rim”
This piece also features the deep brown inner bark as its main material, with the outer-bark rim standing out beautifully in contrast. The “tiny” series is small in size—just enough to hold a compact wallet or a smartphone.
“Inner-Bark Checker with Outer-Bark Rim M”
A basket bag that lets you fully appreciate the texture of the inner bark—its appearance even reminiscent of leather. Please enjoy its distinctive, natural sheen.
“Lightning – Outer-Bark Ajiro with Inner-Bark Rim”
A small hand-carried basket with a wide gusset, featuring a striking line of dark inner bark along the rim—its sharp contrast giving the impression of a lightning bolt.
“Checker Mesh Line”
A softly shaped basket bag with subtle patterned accents along the sides and a small motif visible on the base, adding a playful touch to the design.
We would also like to introduce a selection of Gara-bou stoles, along with some of their patterns.
The stoles come in four sizes. (Prices are based on those current as of November 2025.)
＊Blanket Stole 35,200 yen (tax included)
This large-sized type can be placed on the sofa as a lap blanket, or layered over a duvet as part of your bedding.
You can also wear it over a coat as an oversized shawl,
or wrap it around your waist indoors like a skirt.
＊Medium Stole 23,100 yen (tax included)
This size is easy to use—wrap it around the neck or drape it over the shoulders as a shawl.
As a muffler it has a pleasant fullness, adding a gentle touch of elegance to your outfit.
＊Muffler Stole 14,300 yen (tax included)
The ideal size to wear as a muffler. Perfect for light outings—strolls in the park or quick trips to the neighborhood shops.
It is a popular size among all ages and genders, making it a lovely gift as well.
＊Baby & Kids Stole 6,600 yen (tax included)
A child-sized stole that also makes a thoughtful gift for births and celebrations.
It is likewise popular among adults as a light, scarf-like accessory.
This is the Blanket Stole, a size large enough to wrap an adult comfortably. 【Herringbone – Ivory】 
This one is also the Blanket Stole size. On cold winter days, you can wrap it around yourself like a skirt and stay warm indoors. 【Herringbone – Dot Black】 
This is the medium size. 【Herringbone – Navy Gray】 
This is also the medium size. The “Double Face” series shows a different pattern on each side, giving it a gentle, shifting expression.
【Double Face – Gray Beige】
This is the muffler stole type. 【Herringbone – Ivory】 
This is also the muffler stole type. The Pin Border pattern, revived this year after a long time, is one of the classic designs—some people have been using it for more than ten years.
【Regular – Pin Border Ivory Red】
This is also the muffler type. Its vivid colors add a crisp brightness to winter outfits, which often lean toward darker tones.
【Twill Plaid – Orange】
This is also the muffler type. 【Twill Plaid – Wine】
At the shop, we have many more colors and patterns available beyond those shown here.
We hope you enjoy the time spent choosing the size and pattern that feels right for you.
They make a lovely item to share with someone close, or to give as a gift.
Gara-bou stoles are light, soft to the touch, and visually delightful as well.
I find myself reaching for these stoles often—when going out, relaxing on the sofa at home, or working at my computer.
They are pieces I rely on with a natural ease.
The exhibition runs until Saturday, December 13. We warmly invite you to visit and see the pieces in person.
We look forward to welcoming you.
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The featured pieces are arranged on the center table.
The other shelves display our regular selection, which you are welcome to browse as always.
Alongside restocked items, we will also be introducing newly arrived pieces.
We hope you enjoy exploring these as well.
Aya Ichikawa
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“The One Table” – Baskets and Gara-bou Spun Cotton Stoles –
2025
Nov 27 (Thu), 28 (Fri), 29 (Sat), 30 (Sun)
Dec 4 (Thu), 5 (Fri), 6 (Sat)
11 (Thu), 12 (Fri), 13 (Sat)
Open | 11:00–16:00
In-store | 1basketry, Minami-Senju, Tokyo