Kaoru Saito’s Atelier—and into the Forest
Hello.
In this journal, we would like to share a visit to Kaoru Saito, who works with bark and vine crafts in Yamagata.
We hope to share, as faithfully as possible, the scenes we witnessed during our visit.
We visited Kaoru Saito in the autumn of 2025.
We had heard that she was planning to go into the mountains to gather materials for Akebi and Matatabi(silver vine, Actinidia polygama)
so we arranged our visit to her atelier to coincide with that timing.
A friend kindly came to pick us up at the station,
and Kaoru welcomed us at her atelier.
It had been eight years since we last met.
We had visited her atelier once before and had the opportunity to speak with her then.
Since that time, we have continued to introduce Kaoru’s work at our shop, including pendants, keychains, and ornaments.
On the first day, we had the opportunity to accompany her on a trip to gather Akebi vines. Together with Kaoru and the others who were going to collect materials, we headed into the mountains. 
It was a pleasant autumn day under clear skies. 
We soon began searching for Akebi vines. 
Before we knew it, Kaoru was already moving into the trees. 
Even as we paused to take photographs, Kaoru continued to make her way deeper into the thicket. 
This is the vine of Akebi. 
Before long, she begins to find vines one after another. 
She mentioned that working in the mountains is by no means easy, yet it was striking how much she seemed to enjoy it. 
Bundles of Akebi vines gathered in just a short time. 
In between the work, she would often pause to take a deep breath, softly saying, “It feels good.” During breaks, we saw her look up at the mountains again and again, a scene that has stayed with us. 
She enters the mountains to gather materials, yet at the same time, it felt as though simply being in this place itself was something she valued deeply. 
After observing the harvesting of Akebi, we returned to the atelier and had the opportunity to speak with her in more detail. 
In Kaoru’s atelier, unique pieces she has created over the years are displayed throughout the space, making it a place that feels enjoyable simply to look around. 
This is Linden bark. From this material, a basket for storing coins is made, which can also be enjoyed as an object. 
These are small Matatabi balls. You can still sense the fresh, green character of the branches. 
This is a Grapevine basket bag made by Kaoru. It features fine braided details, a design not often seen elsewhere. 
Thin strips of Grapevine vine bark are prepared in advance, then quickly braided by hand. 
Neatly arranged braids of Grapevine. 
Kaoru kindly held this basket bag for us. It looks wonderful!
The following day, we observed the harvesting of Matatabi. The weather was unsettled, with rain coming and going from the morning. 
The bark of Matatabi has become increasingly difficult to obtain in recent years, as demand has grown. 
The weather that day was far from ideal, but it had already been decided in advance to go gather Matatabi, coordinating with the others who would be joining. 
In the past, she would sometimes head into the mountains with her husband, deciding on the day based on the weather. In recent years, however, due to concerns about bears, they now make sure to coordinate schedules and go in a group. 
For our visit, she kindly arranged her schedule in advance so that we could observe the harvesting. 
In the rain, and with the need to remain alert for bears, a few words Kaoru spoke in passing left a strong impression on us. 
“If this weren’t for work, no one would come to a place like this. It’s desire—just desire,” she said with a quiet smile. In those words, we felt a strong drive to make baskets, something that leads her into the rugged mountains. 
On steep slopes, she presses the ground firmly with her feet as she makes her way upward. Even in these movements, you can sense the accumulation of many years of experience. 
Identifying suitable Matatabi requires experience. It is judged by observing several characteristics. 
The members who went together each searched in their own way, but the final judgment was made by Kaoru. 
The harvested Matatabi is prepared soon after it is gathered. 
As with willow basketry artisans in Europe, a splitting tool is used to roughly divide the Matatabi branches. 
After that, the branches are pared down with a knife to the required thickness—a process that demands great patience. 
This is a larger ball made from Matatabi. It has a lightness and a pleasant texture that even small children can enjoy.
Kaoru possesses a refined technique for creating intricate weaves and complex patterns.
At the same time, she says she finds joy in working with natural materials such as grapevine, akebi, and walnut.
Each material has its own character and irregularities, and it is precisely in the way they resist control that their appeal lies.
Unlike prepared materials, she works by accepting each piece as it is and gradually shaping it over time.
It is a labor-intensive process, but we felt that within each step lies the true fascination of her work.
Over the course of two days, we were able to observe the gathering of materials,
and we learned that many of the materials Kaoru and her team collect in the mountains are not used right away.
In some cases, the materials are left to rest for a period of time before being used for weaving.
Some of these materials are transformed into unique accessories and small objects like the ones shown here.
Kaoru also enjoys working on smaller pieces.
Though they may appear simple, each piece is carefully made,
with a firm structure that brings out the character of the material.
Rather than forcing the form too much, she draws out the natural expression of the material as it is.
We felt that this approach is what gives her work its distinctive appeal.
It takes more than thirty steps for Kaoru to complete a single basket.
She says that she does not cut corners in any of them.
“I do sometimes wish it could be a little easier,” she said with a smile,
“but since people are paying for it, it’s my responsibility to make it properly.”
If someone is going to take the time to choose one, she wants to offer something truly well made.
We felt that this intention runs through every step of her work.
We hope you will have the chance to see her work in person at our shop.
“The One Table” Special Exhibition
Kaoru Saito | Crafts from the Forest
– Grape Vine, Akebi, Walnut & Bark –
In-store | 1basketry, Minami-Senju, Tokyo
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2026
April 29 (Wed, Holiday), 30 (Thu)
May 2 (Sat), 3 (Sun), 4 (Mon), 5 (Tue), 6 (Wed)
May 9 (Sat), 14 (Thu), 15 (Fri), 16 (Sat)
*Open to all visitors from 11:00 to 16:00 on the above dates
*On May 1 (Fri), 8 (Fri), 11 (Mon), and 13 (Wed), visits are by appointment only
*You are also welcome to view our regular collection.
If there is something you are looking for, please feel free to ask
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Based in Yamagata, Kaoru Saito creates a wide range of distinctive works using materials gathered from the mountains—
such as grapevine, walnut, akebi, and Matatabi—
forming unique shapes and bark crafts that are rarely seen elsewhere and often captivating at first glance.
She personally enters the mountains to gather her materials and carries out the entire process through to completion.
In this special exhibition, in addition to the standard accessories and small items that we have long introduced at our shop,
we will also present many pieces available only for this occasion.
Please note that grapevine basket bags will be displayed and sold as one-of-a-kind pieces in-store only.
Items purchased will remain on display during the exhibition period and will be handed over after it concludes.
We kindly ask for your understanding.
We will also exhibit a selection of Kaoru Saito’s personal collection (not for sale).
During the exhibition period, works will be available both at our physical shop in Minami-Senju and through our official online shop,
including regular items as well as pieces created especially for this event.
Please take this opportunity to view the collection of works,
each carrying Kaoru Saito’s distinctive sense of form—both unique and refined.
We look forward to welcoming you.
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Below, we introduce a selection of the works.
Grapevine × Glass Cake Stand / ¥39,600 
Grapevine Brooch “Gogh” / ¥7,150〜 
Akebi Basket with Grapevine Handle / ¥25,300 
Walnut Glass Sphere / ¥5,280 
Walnut and Stone Paperweight / ¥5,280 
Walnut Coiling Tray / ¥17,600〜 
Akebi Handled “Wave” Basket (Large) / ¥132,000 
Walnut Ornament “Star” (Small / Large) / ¥6,160 / ¥7,040 
Akebi, Walnut & Grapevine “bun.” Smartphone Short Strap (Brown / Dark Brown / Black) / ¥8,250 
Grapevine, Walnut & Akebi “bun.” Key Holder (Large) / ¥7,260 
Linden Bark Coin Basket (Large) / ¥9,680 
Akebi × Walnut Square Tray (S / L) / ¥2,310 / ¥8,470 
Matatabi Cat Toy (Matatabi Ball) – With Bark & Fruit / ¥6,820 
Grapevine, Walnut & Akebi Long Pendant (Mixed) / ¥10,230 
Grapevine Long Pendant / ¥8,470 
Grapevine Pendant “Bag” / ¥10,230
And here is a grapevine basket bag. This is a one-of-a-kind piece.
*Sold out (It will remain on display until the final day.)
Comes with a special charm shaped like a cluster of grapes, woven from grapevine. 
This is a basket bag created by Kaoru Saito, carefully built through each step of the process, resulting in a piece unlike any other. 
The inside of the basket is lined with fabric, with pockets on both sides. 
The grapevine braids introduced earlier are woven into the piece, giving it a finely detailed and distinctive finish. 
The lining also serves as a cover for the basket, providing added reassurance when you are out and about. 
Please take a look at a short video showing the atmosphere of the atelier,
as well as scenes of gathering and preparing materials in the forest.
[Music will play]
*Each piece is the result of many years of experience and careful trial and error by the maker.
We kindly ask that visits for the purpose of study or research into the making process be refrained from.
Depending on the situation, we may also approach you to discuss this.
When viewing the works, we would appreciate your consideration for other visitors,
and your cooperation in maintaining a respectful manner of appreciation.
In addition, we ask that all visitors limit photography inside the shop to a single overall image of the space.
Photography of individual items is generally not permitted.
We appreciate your understanding.