This is a handwoven tote made from Suzutake bamboo, commonly known as a “market basket.”
Due to a prolonged shortage of bamboo since 2015, harvesting has become increasingly difficult.
This page features the Fine grade—carefully selected bamboo with beautiful coloration, woven by skilled hands.

Please note that some of the photos below show baskets with a more golden tone—these are from the Premium grade.
The current Fine grade uses slightly different bamboo with a more varied texture.
We kindly ask that you review the images carefully and understand these natural differences before purchasing.

Suzutake bamboo is known for its glossy surface, soft yet resilient texture, and overall durability.
One of its pleasures is the way it gradually deepens in color over time—
from pale green to a warm amber tone.
Even after years of use, washing it with water brings back a natural sheen to the surface,
a sign of just how exceptional the material is.

This basket is great for everyday shopping,
and when heading out for a picnic or camping, you can fill it
with lunch, drinks, and ingredients, then load it straight into the car.
It also comes in handy for travel and outings where you need to carry bulky items.

Of course, it also looks lovely simply used as a storage basket at home.

As its name suggests, this “Market Basket” is widely used by professional chefs
who visit local markets daily to shop for fresh ingredients.
It is built to be strong enough to carry plenty of vegetables, fish, or meat.

Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture

Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture.
It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.

The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible.
For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.

However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo,
making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material.
Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult,
making Suzutake craft even more precious today.

It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle,
produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off.
After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.

Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge.
And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully,
gathering what little bamboo they can find—
sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.

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.