Grapevine is a climbing plant that grows wild in the mountains of Japan. For basketry, the bark is peeled from mature vines and used as the weaving material. It can be harvested only during a very short period around June, when the high humidity makes it easier to peel the bark from the vines. After harvesting, the bark is dried, sorted, and carefully prepared into strips of suitable width and thickness for weaving.

Grapevine has exceptionally strong fibers and was traditionally used for ropes and tools for working in the mountains. This strength also makes Grapevine baskets highly durable and suitable for many years of use. At the same time, each vine differs in thickness, nodes, natural curves, and color. Some baskets retain these natural characteristics, while others are woven with finely prepared, evenly sized strips for a more refined appearance. The way the material is prepared and used gives each basket a different character.

Here, we mainly introduce handbags and other everyday items made from Grapevine. With continued use, natural oils from your hands gradually become absorbed into the material, deepening its color and bringing out a beautiful luster. This slow transformation over many years is one of the distinctive qualities of Grapevine basketry.