On this page, we introduce lunch baskets made from Itaya maple.

They are the same size but come in two types with different weaving styles.
The left side in the photo is finished in yotsume-ami, and the right side in ajiro-ami.

Wax paper is laid on the bottom of the basket,
and ham sandwiches and BLT sandwiches made with halved slices of bread are placed inside.

For items without moisture, such as rice balls, they can be placed directly inside.
If you line the basket with wax paper, cooking sheets, or wooden sheets,
you can use it neatly without staining the basket.

It is also good to put in a small container, like a tiny Tupperware, to include side dishes or fruit.

After use, wash briskly with a scrub brush,
then wipe off moisture thoroughly and dry it well in a ventilated place.

Also, when oil has adhered, wash thoroughly with a scrub brush and mild detergent.

Besides being used as a lunch basket,
it can also serve as a case for daily medicines or as a small container.

The lid also functions as a basket, so it is convenient to use them as two baskets.

Unlike bamboo or other materials, the whiteness of the Itaya maple lunch basket stands out.
It can be enjoyed in many different ways.

Choose your preferred style: the open weave of yotsume-ami or the denser ajiro-ami.

__Itaya Maple Craft Continuing in Akita Prefecture__

In central Akita Prefecture, people have been making crafts from Itaya maple for about 200 years,
as a side job during the farming off-season.

Itaya maple, a type of maple tree, grows abundantly in Hokkaido and Akita,
providing easy access to the material.

At its peak, nearly 40 households in Akita were engaged in this craft,
most of them making mi — winnowing baskets used by farmers.

Before the autumn snow begins to fall, the trees are harvested,
and the remaining logs are stored under the snow
to preserve their distinctive white color.

The process starts by roughly splitting the logs into eight pieces.
Although machines are used in some parts,
most of the splitting and shaving into thin strips is done by hand,
with each strip made as thin as about one millimeter.

Today, very few people still go into the mountains to fell these trees,
and crafts made from Itaya maple have become increasingly rare and precious.

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.