This is a lidded basket, handwoven from willow and caña.

Caña is a plant that grows naturally in the Mediterranean region.
Belonging to the reed family, it has a form that resembles bamboo.
Somewhere between bamboo and sasa (thin bamboo),
it carries a texture that may also recall Nemagari bamboo found in Japan.

The maker is Pau, a fourth-generation basket maker from a family that has continued the craft for generations in Catalonia, in northeastern Spain along the Mediterranean coast.

The baskets he creates are deeply rooted in the rural culture of Catalonia, representing traditional basketry in its original form.

On this page, we introduce a picnic basket.

The combination of willow and caña has an exotic presence.
Yet the caña in particular carries a texture reminiscent of Japanese bamboo, giving it a sense of familiarity.

It can also be used indoors as a lidded storage basket.
Even simply placed in a room, it can be enjoyed as part of the interior.

It is well suited for carrying a few small items or for a quick trip to the bakery.
It is also a reliable basket for everyday use.

Imagining the way people in Catalonia spend their days off,
you might fill it with sandwiches, bread, or onigiri and head out for a picnic.
It is also a lovely companion for your time off.

Basket Maker Pau of Spain
— A Fourth-Generation Tradition from Catalonia —

Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, faces the Mediterranean Sea.
In this region, centered around Barcelona and known for its own language and culture,
Pau continues the craft of basket making.

As a fourth-generation basket maker, he works with familiar local materials such as willow and caña,
a plant native to Catalonia, carrying on traditional basketry.

“The knowledge and techniques of basket making can only truly be learned within tradition.
It is this foundation that allows new baskets to be created,” Pau says.

He began learning the craft in his father’s workshop at the age of eighteen.
At the time, it was not something he had chosen for himself,
but now he finds deep meaning in the work, takes pride in carrying it on,
and considers it an essential part of his life.

Pau does not use molds when making baskets.
Instead, he works directly with the materials, allowing each piece to take shape naturally.
His baskets carry both the strength and the simplicity that have long been part of everyday life in Catalonia.

We hope you enjoy the many forms rooted in this region,
from grape harvest baskets and wine bottle baskets to traditional rabbit baskets.

We introduce Pau’s basket making in more detail in this journal. We hope you will enjoy reading it.

Basketry Traditions of Catalonia — The Work of Pau
Germany Business Trip Journal 11