Handmade bamboo crafts, which require a lot of labor, are becoming rare due to the aging of the craftspeople. The bamboo baskets made in Takayama are made of Suzutake bamboo, which is flexible and resilient. They are handcrafted by splitting the bamboo and thinly shaving it before weaving it together. The Suzutake bamboo used can only be harvested on cold days when it's snowing, to prevent insects from entering. Originally used for washing rice and draining vegetables, they are called "shouke" in the old days. They are very durable and can last for over 100 years, which apparently frustrated the craftsmen. (They are so hard that you can't dent or warp them by hand.) Compared to large baskets, these small baskets are difficult to shape into a circle when weaving the edges, and require a lot of strength. The shaved Suzutake bamboo has different appearances on the front and back sides (see photos). These are handmade, one-of-a-kind items made from natural materials, so please refrain from purchasing if you are overly concerned about minor imperfections. *No discounts Please check the size in the images. Material: Suzutake bamboo