This is a basket made from Muki Akebi (gray Akebi vine),
in which the bark is removed using hot spring water or river water.

As its name suggests, this is a rounded basket with a single handle at the top.

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.

– Rounded Basket with Single Handle / Akebi Vine (311212-1)

While the surface may appear pale under bright light,
this material subtly shifts in tone depending on the lighting or weather, offering depth and quiet variation.

When human care is applied to a raw material in its natural state,
the result can become something far more beautiful than nature alone.

This basket seems to express that very idea—through both its color and form.
Its tone is unlike anything found in nature,
the result of a chemical reaction between the vine and mineral-rich spring water,
giving it a rich, earthy elegance.

Not only is it perfect for outings and shopping,
but it also makes a striking presence in any room as a piece of natural decor.

With its impressively solid construction,
this basket offers lasting stability—one that may stay by your side for decades 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.