This is a basket made from water hyacinth, an aquatic plant that grows in calm rivers and ponds.
We introduce this Tissue Box Basket, a handwoven piece designed to hold a tissue box neatly inside.

Even among water hyacinth products, the types of items—such as baskets, basket bags, small containers, and pot mats—vary depending on the artisans (region) and weaving techniques.

Most artisans are women in their 40s to 70s. Most of them weave baskets within village groups or as part of family-based teams.

Many artisans weave as a full-time occupation, while others make baskets alongside their farming activities. Those working part-time often pause weaving during harvest seasons to focus on agriculture.

As with Krajood basketry, although young weavers remain few,
there is a renewed appreciation within Thailand for natural material products,
and it seems that more young people are starting to take an interest in basketry.

Since water hyacinth is particularly sensitive to humidity,
a matte varnish has been applied to the entire basket as a finishing touch.
This coating helps prevent the material from absorbing moisture.

For storage, it is best to keep the basket indoors in a well-ventilated place to avoid humidity.
It is better to store it on a higher shelf or hang it rather than leaving it on the floor.
If you live in a two-story house, storing it on the upper floor is recommended.

This water hyacinth tissue box basket has a refreshing look.
It can also be enjoyed as part of your interior when left out on display.

About Water Hyacinth Craftwork in Thailand

Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant
that floats and grows on the surfaces of lakes, marshes, ponds, and gently flowing rivers.

This plant is commonly found throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand,
and basketry using water hyacinth can be seen in many regions.

In Thailand, water hyacinth can be harvested year-round,
but it is said that healthier plants are harvested outside of the dry season (January to April).
The color of the grass (and thus the basket) also varies depending on the harvesting region.

Various methods are used in processing: splitting the thick stems into different widths for weaving,
twisting the stems into rope-like strands before weaving, peeling the stems thinly and wrapping them,
or compressing and shaping them. Water hyacinth is a material that is relatively easy to work with.
For baskets and basket bags, weaving is often done along wooden molds,
while items like pot mats and slippers are typically crafted by hand without molds, relying on the artisan’s sense of touch.

The pieces introduced here are crafted in the fertile central plains of Thailand,
along the Chao Phraya River, where rice-growing regions spread across Suphanburi, Ang Thong, and Chainat provinces.

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.