Akebi, Walnut, and Grapevine are basketry materials gathered from plants that grow wild in the mountains and woodlands of Japan. Unlike bamboo basketry, where bamboo is split into thin weaving strips, Akebi uses long vines, Walnut uses bark peeled from trees, and Grapevine uses bark peeled from mature vines. Particularly in mountainous regions, these locally available plants have long been used to make baskets, handbags, and other everyday tools.

Each material has a suitable season for harvesting and requires careful preparation before weaving can begin. Akebi vines are prepared by removing the buds and carefully sorting the vines by thickness. Walnut bark and Grapevine bark are dried and sorted after harvesting, then prepared to the appropriate width and thickness for weaving. Each piece of material is carefully assessed for its natural characteristics before being woven into a basket.

Here, we introduce baskets, handbags, and other items made from Akebi, Walnut, and Grapevine. All three are durable materials that can be used for many years. With continued use, natural oils from your hands gradually become absorbed into the material, deepening its color and bringing out a beautiful luster. We hope you will enjoy the distinctive character of each material and the way it changes over time.