This basket is made from peeled Akebi vine, prepared by soaking in hot spring and river water.

This basket is named a “bread basket” for its functional, practical shape.

Baskets made from the brown Akebi vine with its bark intact have a rustic and earthy charm.

In Nagano, however, there is also a variety called Muki Akebi, in which the bark is removed to reveal a soft gray tone.
This basket is made using Muki Akebi.

The basket on the left in the photo is the same shape, but made from bark-on Akebi vine.

− Bread Basket / Akebi Vine (311211-1)

When natural materials are combined with human care and effort, their beauty often deepens many times over.
This basket seems to embody that idea—its color and form speak quietly of that transformation.

Though the shade doesn’t exist in nature,
it takes on a rich, elegant tone through a chemical reaction with hot spring minerals.

The Muki Akebi vine shows different expressions depending on the light—
shifting between shades of white and gray, and over time deepening into a warm sepia tone.

Its calm, refined presence makes it just as beautiful when left out as part of your interior.

We hope this basket stays with you for many years to come.

_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.