This is a basket of Gray Akebi vine, the outer skin of which is peeled using hot spring or river water.

This material, which looks whitish in bright light,
shows various expressions depending on the weather and lighting conditions,
and can be said to have a profound color.
As it ages, the color slowly changes from gray to sepia.

This is a large basket with a great presence that is fun to look at.

There is also a page of basket made from Brown Akebi vine in the same size.
Please take a look at it as well.

＊Click here to see a basket of the same shape woven with Brown Akebi vine.

–Akebi vine work in northern Nagano Prefecture–

More than 300 years ago, people in Nagano Pref. have made baskets, toys, and other daily utensils.

There are 2 types of Akebi vine work produced in northern Nagano Pref.
The one is “Brown Akebi vine”, just as they are in nature.

The other is “Gray Akebi vine”,
which is soaked in hot spring water for about a week,
then soaked in a river for about a month to ferment, the outer skin is then peeled off.

For both types of vines, only high-quality materials are carefully selected,
and they continue to produce baskets in a variety of shapes using advanced weaving techniques.