This is a handled basket, handwoven from Akebi vine.
In Nagano, some baskets are made with Muki Akebi—a gray vine with its outer bark removed.
But this one is crafted using vines with their natural brown bark, just as they appear in the wild.

The sides of this basket are woven using a method known in the region as Sukashi-ami.
Seen from above, the basket forms a gentle oval shape—hence its name.

This page features two sizes: Small and Large.
Both sizes share the same construction.

Let us now introduce the two sizes.

Both sizes are easy to use for storing small items around the house or for holding fruit.
The handles allow the basket to be lifted with balance and ease.
Since the rim is often the most delicate part of a basket,
having handles also helps protect it from damage.

Compared to baskets without handles, those with handles create a subtle sense of space.
If you have room on a shelf or table,
placing this basket with your favorite items can add a decorative touch to your interior.
We hope you’ll keep it somewhere within reach and enjoy it in your daily life.

Please choose the size that best suits your needs—Small or Large.

_Akebi Vine Basketry from Northern Nagano_

In Nagano, since the early Edo period, people have crafted baskets, toys, and other daily tools
as winter work during the region’s long, snow-filled months.

There are two types of Akebi vine used in basketry:
one with its natural bark intact—a warm brown color—
and another called Muki Akebi, a grayish vine that has been peeled after fermentation.

While Akebi vine craft is also found in parts of Tohoku such as Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata,
Muki Akebi basketry is a tradition that continues only in this region.

Before weaving begins, the vines are soaked in hot spring water for about a week,
then fermented in river water for around a month before the bark is carefully removed.

It is said that in the past, all Akebi baskets in northern Nagano were made exclusively from Muki Akebi.

This material requires great time and effort before it can even be woven,
but the baskets that emerge from it carry a quiet depth—something only this land can produce.

Both Akebi and Muki Akebi vines are carefully selected for quality,
and skilled hands continue to craft them into a wide variety of beautiful forms.

Please note:
This item ships from Japan.
As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country.
These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.