This handheld basket is woven using the bark of sawagurumi (Japanese walnut).

The bark of walnut trees is harvested at its peak from spring through the rainy season, when the material is rich with moisture.

Sawagurumi, as its name suggests, is a species of walnut that grows naturally along mountain streams and shallow valleys.

Unlike yamagurumi, which grows in the mountains, the nuts of sawagurumi are not used for food. Instead, the tree has the characteristic of letting its seeds travel downstream, carried away by the flow of nearby streams.

Here, we would like to introduce a handheld basket crafted from walnut bark.

This basket is crafted mainly with the deep, calm tones of walnut inner bark, woven with broad strips for a bold and grounded finish.

Perfect for autumn and winter, and also lovely on chilly spring mornings and evenings when paired with a stole or muffler.
This sawagurumi basket is one you can enjoy in every season.

The materials are carefully prepared, so there is no roughness — the surface feels smooth, clean, and pleasantly light to the touch.

Each walnut-bark strip has its own subtle tone and texture, and together they give the basket a sense of depth and character.

Bring the basket close and you can enjoy the rich, natural aroma of walnut.
And the more you gently run your hand over the surface, the more luster the basket develops as it absorbs the natural oils from your skin.

The pale outer bark that appears along the rim brings a gentle brightness to the overall look.
Walnut inner bark naturally has a tendency to curl, which can sometimes make a basket’s shape unstable,
but this piece has been prepared with such care that it remains beautifully composed and steady.

It is a basket that will surely stay close for many years to come.
We hope you will enjoy using it in your daily life, letting its character deepen slowly over time.

Original and uniquely crafted barkwork from Iwate.

In this region blessed with abundant nature, these artisans create their work using materials such as walnut bark and wild grapevine.

Their pieces are rich in variety—both in design and in proportion—and always bring a sense of delight when we encounter them.

They walk the mountains of Iwate themselves, selecting and harvesting only the finest materials.
The care they put into preparing each piece of bark, and the time they devote before the weaving even begins, set their work apart.
From their distinctive approach to design to the way each basket is brought to life, their craft is truly unlike any other.