An akebi basket available only at ZUTTO, made to our own special order, has arrived.

Akebi baskets have always been popular here at ZUTTO. As spring approaches, more and more people begin choosing them; in summer they make you want to pair one with a dress or yukata and head out to enjoy seasonal events; and in winter, tucking a fluffy inner bag inside lets you add variety to your outfit. In this issue, our staff visited Miyamoto Kogei in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, and fell in love with a basket at first sight. Since so few artisans still make these baskets, we can only offer a small quantity, but we've had them custom-made to a special-order design that improves usability. With their compact size and a slightly different feel from the usual, these are pieces we'd recommend even to those who already own and love akebi baskets.

The key points of the specially ordered akebi baskets, as seen through the eyes of our planning staff.

[Special Order] Akebi Basket with Lid

When we visited Miyamoto Kogei, the very first thing that caught our eye was this basket with a lid. It has a rounded silhouette and clearly shows the careful handwork that went into it. Even though it opens and closes, every part—right down to the button-like closure—is woven entirely from akebi (chocolate vine) vines. It's simply adorable. We could imagine packing it with sandwiches, onigiri, or homemade baked treats for a picnic, or using it to store dishes and cutlery at home.

As we talked with the craftspeople, we learned that this mini basket with a lid is a special basket made only during the off-season by apple farmers in Aomori Prefecture. With its lidded design, it looks just like a tiny house. It would make a lovely piece of interior decor, but we especially wanted to be able to carry it around to all sorts of places once the weather warms up. That's what led us to create this special-order item.

Special Order 1: Openwork Weave on Part of the Basket

Originally, the body of this basket was woven using green vines. It was charming as is, but it had a slightly stiff, formal impression, so we requested a special order to use an openwork weave on part of the basket, giving it a cooler, more relaxed look suitable for everyday use. You can let your belongings show through as they are, or enjoy changing the mood by tucking in a large drawstring pouch or your favorite scarf. The team at Miyamoto Kogei gave it their seal of approval too, saying, "It's so cute!"

Special Order 2: Leather Shoulder Strap

This basket with a lid was the kind of piece that made us happy just to hold—but if we had to name one drawback, it was that it wasn't easy to carry. The handle is quite thin, which felt a little unreliable for everyday use. So we had spots added for a shoulder strap to pass through, and asked a leather artisan to create a woven leather strap that wouldn't disrupt the basket's charming look.

Because the strap is tightly woven, it resists stretching and is sturdier than a single flat piece of leather would be. The tips feature hardware in an antique-style finish that allows the strap to be attached and removed. (Frequent attaching and removing can damage the vines, so when you do so, please be careful to open the hardware as wide as possible to avoid harming the vine.)

If you wear it crossbody, it fits perfectly as is. If you'd like to adjust the length further, try tying the strap to shorten it.

[Special Order] Akebi Basket, 7-sun Barrel-Shaped Ridge Weave

This is a special order for a 7-sun barrel-shaped ridge-weave basket, a slightly smaller version of the 9-sun barrel-shaped ridge-weave basket we saw on the shelf at Miyamoto Kogei. Compared to the apple basket mentioned earlier, it has a somewhat more crisp, dignified atmosphere, with a beautiful balance of curves and straight lines. We were shown a basket that had just been finished that very day, and immediately decided to place a special order for it. When we stepped away for about 30 minutes to photograph the workshop, a customer who happened to visit the shop fell in love with it on the spot and bought it right then and there.

Special Order 1: A Smaller Size, Easier to Carry in Both Weight and Volume

The 9-sun size available at Miyamoto Kogei

Compared to other akebi baskets, this one has a substantial, weighty presence, and at its original size it can feel a bit heavy. So we decided to place a special order for a slightly smaller size. With its rounded shape, it's simply adorable. It makes for a bag you can rest on your lap on the train without any stress—one that somehow brings a little happiness with it. Since it's such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, you can use it as a bag year-round, but in summer we'd especially love for you to take it along with a yukata or to a summer festival.

Height: 162cm

A medium-sized wallet, a pouch, or a 350ml plastic bottle will all fit inside without sticking out.

Special Order 2: Now with an Upgraded Leather Handle

This basket comes with a leather handle cover designed with a focus on fit, and with expanded coverage. It's designed to make the basket more comfortable to carry—so your hand won't hurt when holding something heavy, and your elbow won't ache when you carry it in the crook of your arm.

Care Q&A

Q. Does a basket bag made of natural materials have rough, splintery spots?

A. Basket bags are woven from raw materials that have been cut to an appropriate length, so the cut ends may sometimes be visible on the surface—but please rest assured this is not a defect. With akebi (a type of woody vine) baskets, the cut ends tend to be less noticeable, and compared to bags made from other materials, there is an impression of fewer rough, splintered spots. These cut sections and rough spots will gradually become smoother and rounder as you use the bag, but if you'd like extra peace of mind, we recommend using an inner bag together with it.

Q. Will a hand-woven basket bag become loose over time?

A. Miyamoto Kogei's akebi baskets are entirely hand-woven, and the parts connecting the handle to the body are also made entirely of akebi. Due to the nature of natural materials, in rare cases the joints may inevitably loosen with use. In such cases, repair is possible, so if you would like this service, please contact our customer support. ZUTTO Customer Support: support@zutto.co.jp (weekdays 10:00-16:00)

Q. Are there any tips for care?

A. For everyday care, we recommend "wiping." Wipe the surface with a soft cloth as if polishing it, and for materials like akebi that have some thickness to them, brushing with a clothes brush also works well. Choosing a brush made with natural animal bristles is recommended, as it has the effect of enhancing the sheen of the basket bag.

Q. How should I store it once the season is over?

A. For basket bags, moisture is the great enemy. Since they are made of natural materials, getting them wet can lead to mold, insect damage, and even loosening of the weave. For this reason, avoid using the bag on rainy days and never place it somewhere it might get wet—and please also be careful about how you store it. When storing a basket bag, choose a shady spot with good ventilation. We recommend covering it with a cloth, or if you have non-woven fabric, wrapping the entire basket in it.

Q. Are there any tricks to using an akebi basket bag?

A. When it comes to nurturing a basket bag made of natural materials, the best method is, above all, simply to use it. Handling it smooths away the rough spots, the natural oils gradually deepen its color, and exposure to air keeps it from gathering dust. This is the ideal state for a basket bag. Of course, if using it every day is difficult, keep it somewhere visible and occasionally touch it with your hands. The appeal of natural materials is something you'll come to appreciate more and more as time passes with use.

Akebi baskets are said to last a lifetime if cared for properly. Some of you may feel a bit hesitant about actually incorporating one into your daily life. This special-order item—which lets you change how you carry it to suit the occasion and enjoy different colors with the inner bag—should serve you well for years to come.

▽ Find akebi baskets here