This is noodle scoop made of Nemagari bamboo.
A tool originally used to scoop up soba noodles in a traditional pot dish in the Nagano area.

In the Nagano area, with its steep mountains, there are few rice fields,
and it was not possible to grow a lot of rice, which is why the culture of hospitality with this type of soba cuisine was born.

We feel that in any environment, hospitality to guests creates a food culture
and develops into the accompanying tools and utensils.

Although originally designed for local cuisine, there are many other uses for the basket at home, such as for lifting boiled vegetables out of the water without discarding the boiling water, for scooping noodles in a one-pot dish, or for boiling dumplings and other dishes.

The basket portion is small, with a diameter of 10cm (3.94″),
so it will work well with household-sized pots and pans.

Let it join your daily cooking utensils.

<Nemagari Bamboo Crafts in Togakushi, Nagano Prefecture>

Bamboo crafting began in the early Edo period (1603-1867) as a means of sustenance for the people of the Togakushi Chūsha area.
From the Meiji period to the mid-Showa period（mid-19th century to mid-20th century）,
as the sericulture industry flourished,
the demand for silkworm baskets and other products increased.

In order to protect this important resource,
members of the bamboo craft production cooperative take turns acting as “bamboo shoot guard”
during the spring bamboo shoot season to prevent overharvesting by people who want to use for food.

The surface of the bamboo is polished and split into four pieces, and the skin and body are separated to make strips.
The four most common types of bamboo crafts are
-Colanders(plates),
-Mushroom / fish basket,
-Dish drying basket,
-Winnowing basket.

The beauty and durability of the finished product, as well as the warmth unique to Nemagari bamboo,
make it a practical item that is widely used by the Japanese people even today,
and the color of the product can be enjoyed as it changes over time.