In the Hiruzen region of Okayama Prefecture—nestled at the foot of the mountains separating Tottori and Okayama—gama craft has been passed down for over 600 years.

The plant used, known as “gama” in Japanese and written – 蒲 – in kanji, is deeply familiar to people in Japan. It grows widely across the country, from Hokkaido in the north to the southern island of Kyushu, and is even found in place names throughout the country.

Interestingly, it’s said that the Japanese words kamaboko (a steamed fish cake) and kabayaki (a style of grilled eel) were inspired by the shape of the cattail’s flower spike—thick and sausage-like, much like these foods.

Although Himegama naturally grows in wetlands, the artisans who create these baskets take care of cultivating the plants themselves.

This variety of cattail is lightweight and naturally contains oils, which give it excellent water resistance and moisture retention.

Originally, these baskets were designed as carrying packs for food supplies during travel or transport. In the past, they were even used to make items like snow shoes.

In addition to Himegama, another key material is the inner bark fiber of the Shinanoki tree (Japanese linden).
Locally, this fiber is affectionately called “Yamakage.”

To prepare it, the bark is soaked in river water and fermented, then carefully peeled off in thin layers, following the grain of the tree rings.

“The smell of yamakage before it dries is really something!” the artisans say with a laugh—
a moment that reflects just how joyfully and wholeheartedly they approach their work.

Here, we’d like to introduce some of the handcrafted handled baskets made from cattail.

Gama bags have a smooth, natural texture and a fresh, creamy color that gives them a clean and simple look.
They pair well with a variety of styles, and you can also enjoy customizing the look by adding a bandana or scarf to suit your taste.

This handled basket series is based on the traditional koshigo—a type of backpack basket—
made from the same cattail material.

Although these baskets are smaller than the traditional koshigo,
they inherit its structural design—especially in the way the base is constructed.
This makes them sturdy and reliable enough for everyday use as handled baskets.

All sizes are built to be strong enough for everyday use and can carry their intended load with confidence.

Each of the four sizes can be identified by the number of rows in the basket’s weave:
three rows for mini, four for small, five for medium, and six for large.

One more nice feature of cattail is its soft texture, which is gentle on clothing and unlikely to cause snags or scratches.

“Strong yet lightweight”—this is a fundamental quality of any good basket.
In gama craft, this balance is faithfully achieved
by making full use of the natural characteristics of both Himegama and Yamakage.

With its soft sheen and clean cream color, the basket has a fresh, refined look.
And because it’s so lightweight, you can carry it with ease—even when it’s filled with your daily essentials.

This handled basket can be used throughout the year,
pairing well with both Western and Japanese styles in any season.
Please check the dimensions and choose the size that best suits your needs.