[No Matter How Many I Have]
No matter how many I have, I can't help but look at them and buy them—that's how irresistible baskets and strainers are. I've always loved baskets and strainers, and it was a basket that sparked my interest in mingei (folk art).
Baskets and sieves have been made using locally available materials and used for various purposes closely tied to daily life. In modern times, due to changes in lifestyle, they are also used in creative ways beyond their original purposes, revealing the surprising diversity of their applications in daily life. However, despite their widespread use in daily life, some baskets and sieves are now becoming harder to obtain due to the aging and declining number of craftsmen who make them. As time goes by, traditional baskets and strainers are becoming increasingly rare.
Among them, the ones I personally find both practical and beautiful are bamboo baskets and strainers. Of course, baskets made from akebi or mountain grapes are also items I aspire to own someday, but bamboo baskets and strainers particularly catch my eye. Both the initial greenish hue and the gradual transformation to a warm brown tone are appealing, and their versatility as both kitchenware and storage solutions is truly captivating. From preparing meals to serving them, drying washed dishes, or storing small items, having bamboo baskets and strainers in daily life brings a sense of comfort and fulfillment.
Such is the allure of bamboo crafts. In the past, Nishikawanoboricho in Takeo City, Saga Prefecture, was renowned alongside Imari and Arita ware, and at its peak, it was a major production center employing over 500 artisans. However, due to the rise of mass-produced goods and declining demand, the tradition faced the risk of disappearing. Now, new artisans have emerged, and once again, we can purchase these bamboo products. These baskets are not only visually stunning but also inspire a desire to cherish and use them for years to come. I find myself admiring the baskets in the showroom with growing affection, envisioning how I might gradually collect them over time and incorporate these beloved baskets and trays into my daily life.
Nishikawanobori Takezaiku's Ashitsukizaru
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nishikawanobori/ashi.html
Nishikawanobori Takezaiku's Kometogizaru
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nishikawanobori/kome.html
Nishikawanobori Takezaiku's Sobazaru
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nishikawanobori/soba.html
Sanjo Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/sanjo.html
