Japanese Bamboo Baskets to Use for a Lifetime

Bamboo baskets have taken on many forms throughout history, becoming part of people's daily lives across the ages. Not only practical but also beautiful, these baskets develop character the more they are used, and when cared for properly, they can last a lifetime. Here, we introduce the charm of these remarkable baskets.

(Article updated: June 22, 2020)

The Background of Bamboo Basket Making

Even within Japan, the types of bamboo, weaving techniques, and uses vary widely from region to region. Each style has emerged from the everyday life of its local area, and baskets shaped for practical daily use have a presence that plastic products lack, while also being highly functional—qualities that stand out even when compared to modern living spaces and interiors.

Here is a rough list of basket-producing regions, from Aomori in the north to Kumamoto and Kagoshima in the south. Of course, this is only a small sample, but it shows how production areas are scattered across the whole country.

To begin with, bamboo products have been made and cherished around the world, using various natural materials in various countries. Among them, Japan is somewhat special, having developed not only everyday bamboo baskets but also bamboo as a medium for fine art and craft.

If we dig into the history, bamboo baskets have been used as flower baskets in the world of tea ceremony since the time of Sen no Rikyu. Both the finely crafted bamboo art pieces born of Japan's delicate handiwork and the everyday bamboo baskets used in daily life
reflect a spirit of careful, considered craftsmanship, and even today we find ourselves moved by this beautiful work.

Japanese baskets originated long ago as something made during the agricultural off-season. In other words, farmers would grow rice, vegetables, and other crops, and once the farm work settled down, they would take up basket making as a side occupation. Because of this background, there are relatively few places where basket making has become a full-time, specialized trade in any given region.

In some regions, bamboo has grown so abundant that makers are putting effort into developing new products, but it seems that many production areas have continued to make baskets little by little using traditional methods passed down from long ago.

The Many Varieties of Bamboo

And while we may say "bamboo" as if it were one thing, there are actually many different varieties. Depending on the type of bamboo, the thickness, hardness, and flexibility differ, and weaving techniques and forms are adapted to suit each one's particular properties. Some of the main varieties used in bamboo baskets include madake, suzutake, and nemagaridake.

◇Madake:

The thick madake bamboo is rarely used in its raw state; instead, it is often processed by removing its oils and exposing it to sunlight. Because this bleaching process turns the bamboo white, it is also known as shiramono or shiratake (white bamboo). 

◇Suzutake:

Suzutake, also called shinotake, is an extremely thin bamboo that grows wild in the mountains and fields. Baskets made from this flexible, springy shinotake bamboo are so resilient that if you press down on them lightly, your hand practically bounces back. Taking advantage of these properties, it has long been used to make many excellent everyday tools and remains a familiar presence in daily life.

◇Nemagaridake:

A member of the grass family of bamboo, nemagaridake is said to get its name from the way its roots bend under the weight of snow. A distinctive feature of nemagaridake baskets is that the freshly harvested, vividly green bamboo is split lengthwise and woven into a hexagonal pattern. Since no wooden mold is used in the weaving, the finished result has a soft, supple quality.

Bamboo Baskets: For Storing and For Carrying

The uses of bamboo baskets can be broadly divided into two categories: "storing" and "carrying."

Trays and baskets without handles are handy for storage in a variety of situations.

For example, suzutake trays, with their tightly and sturdily woven mesh with small gaps, are useful not only as rice-washing trays, draining baskets, or vegetable-washing baskets, but also as storage for gathering together dishes and cutlery.

Simply gather your dishes into one, then drape a tenugui (Japanese hand towel) over the top to hide the contents, and it instantly transforms into a piece of storage-as-decor.

On the other hand, basket-type carriers with handles can serve as storage while also letting you carry items inside them.

Larger baskets are handy for occasions such as packing snacks for a picnic in your own garden or at a park, or for gathering up blankets and magazines used in the living room and carrying them from room to room as needed. When you hear "bamboo basket with a handle," many people probably picture an old-fashioned shopping basket, but used this way, it takes on a surprisingly modern look.

Bamboo Baskets for Every Corner of the Home

Bamboo baskets can be used not just in various ways, but in various places as well. Beyond the living room and kitchen, they come in handy in a study, entryway, bathroom changing area, and many other settings.

Ehime Shiratake Footed Rectangular Basket, Long

Madake bamboo is often used as the material for shiratake (white bamboo). It is called shiratake because processing steps such as removing oils and exposing it to sunlight turn it white. Square and rectangular baskets require a higher level of skill to weave than round ones, and the truth is that the number of craftspeople able to weave square baskets is dwindling today. Baskets made by artisans in Ehime feature an unusual design: a rectangular box shape with small bamboo feet attached. These feet improve ventilation. It's ideal for storing bulky items like dishware and towels.

Chiba Madake Drying Tray

This drying tray shines with its exceptionally careful construction, woven from madake bamboo with its edges bound and further reinforced with rattan strips. Drying trays have a flat shape suited to drying vegetables or making umeboshi (pickled plums), and are built with good ventilation and strong durability. It's naturally suited for use as a cooking tool for vegetables, but its flat shape also makes it handy as a spot for storing clothing, or as a temporary place to set down newspapers or letters.

Miyagi Shinotake Mesh Basket

A classic basket woven from shino-take (suzutake) bamboo into a hexagonal pattern. The key feature is that not only the sides but also the bottom are woven in the same way. Relatively small and very lightweight, it's easy to use, and ZUTTO offers it in 3 sizes. Since it drains water well, it can be used in the kitchen as a bowl substitute after washing vegetables, or as a temporary resting place for dishes after washing them—but its uses go beyond the kitchen. You can also use it in place of a plate to serve dishes like tempura, as storage for bread, or to hold snacks. The baskets can also be nested together in different sizes for storage.

Mutsume Kago (Hexagonal-Weave Basket)

A mutsume kago (hexagonal-weave basket) from Kochosai Kosuga that makes the most of the smooth texture and flexibility of bamboo's outer skin. The perfectly regular hexagonal pattern is so beautiful it hardly seems possible that it was made by hand, and it looks wonderful simply sitting on display. You can place a small bowl inside, line it with kaishi paper and bring it to the table, or fill it with fruit like mikan. Its stable shape makes it versatile for many different uses.

How to Care for Bamboo Baskets

Bamboo, a natural material, is remarkably durable—if cared for properly, it can last for decades. Here we introduce some care tips to help you keep using your bamboo basket beautifully and hygienically for years to come.

Care Tips

・Wipe away moisture right away and let it dry.
・Use it with care every day.

Some bamboo baskets, such as suzutake bamboo colanders, drain water well and are well suited for kitchen use, but leaving them wet for extended periods can cause deterioration or damage. For this reason, please care for the basket after use whenever it has come into contact with moisture or humidity.

For colanders and baskets used around water, drain the water thoroughly as soon as possible to minimize the time they spend wet, wipe them dry, and then let them air-dry in a shaded, well-ventilated spot. Avoid drying them in direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can cause them to dry out too much and crack—so be sure to dry them in the shade.

For items not used around water, avoid moisture as much as possible and wipe them gently with a soft, dry cloth. Handling the bamboo with your hands as much as possible in daily use is also important for its condition.

Tips for Making It Last Longer

Beyond basic care, how you use a bamboo basket also matters greatly for making it last.

Bamboo is sturdy, but it can crack if force is concentrated on a single spot. For example, when handling a bamboo colander, hold the whole piece rather than gripping just the rim—by distributing the pressure as evenly as possible, you can prevent it from warping and help it last longer.

Preventing Mold and Insects

To prevent mold on bamboo baskets, it's important to avoid storing them in humid locations.

Store the basket in a well-ventilated, as dry as possible location. Since humidity tends to collect in lower areas, storing it up higher is also recommended.

Also, because bamboo contains natural sugars and is made without the use of insecticides, insects may occasionally appear. Insects hiding inside the bamboo can be difficult to detect in advance, and their presence may cause white powder to emerge from tiny holes. If you notice white powder on your item, pour hot water (60°C or above) over the affected area to heat-treat it, and then observe how it progresses.