Akebi is a climbing plant that grows wild in the mountains and fields of Japan. Basket makers mainly use the long vines known as “runners,” which grow along the ground. Slender and flexible yet strong, the vines are woven largely in their natural form, without being extensively processed. Before weaving begins, however, careful preparation is required, including removing buds and sorting the vines by thickness down to the millimeter. The prepared vines are then woven one by one, making use of their natural strength to create baskets, handbags, and other items.

In northern Nagano Prefecture, another material known as muki-akebi, or peeled Akebi vine, is also used. The vines are soaked for extended periods in hot spring and river water before the outer bark is removed, producing distinctive whitish and grayish tones unlike the natural brown color of unpeeled Akebi vines. Baskets made from unpeeled Akebi and those made from muki-akebi have distinctly different appearances, even though they come from the same plant.

Here, we introduce baskets, handbags, and other everyday items woven from Akebi vines. With use, the vines gradually deepen in color and develop a richer luster, allowing you to enjoy the changing character of this natural material over the years.