ARIMA Bamboo Basket / Book Storage

In the history of the traditional craft of "Arima Baskets," these book storage have been used by people for a long time and have taken root in their daily lives.
It is made of bamboo from the Rokko mountain range and woven in a way that has remained unchanged since ancient times. The pattern is also unique to Arima Bamboo Baskets, and the finish is simple, but with a sense of the beauty of bamboo.
Since they are made of high-quality bamboo from mountain thickets, the more you use them, the more they change their color to candy and become shiny tools.

Arima baskets are a traditional bamboo craft that originated in the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
It is said that the origin of Arima baskets dates back to the days of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who began making flower baskets at Arima Onsen, a hot spring resort that Hideyoshi Toyotomi loved and that was favored by Sen-no-Rikyu.
Various bamboo crafts are handmade by craftsmen using high-quality bamboo.

Width：20cm
Depth：25cm
Height：8cm
Weight：193g

Bamboo

KUTSUWA

"Crafts adapted to the modern age."

As a bamboo craft workshop, we want to continue to pass on traditional techniques and use them to create products that suit modern lifestyles.

ARTISAN STORY

Kutsuwa

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Received Hyogo Products Association Award
・Received Osaka Federation of Small Business Association Chairman's Award
・Recognized as one of the "Hyogo Culture 100
・G20 Osaka Summit, tea ceremony room booth

ARIMA KAGO / ARIMA BAMBOO BASKETRY

About 500 years ago / 1500s / Muromachi Period (1336–1573)

Arima basketry developed in the famous hot-spring town of Arima, Hyogo, producing bamboo baskets for tea culture and for visitors. Using bamboo from the Rokko mountain region, makers created flower baskets, charcoal baskets and confectionery containers that became both tea utensils and local souvenirs.

In Japan, Arima combines the identity of an ancient spa town with tea culture. Contemporary pieces include flower containers and storage baskets as well as interiors that celebrate the rhythm of woven bamboo.

In tea ceremony, a bamboo flower basket can convey summer coolness precisely because it is open and breathable, unlike metal or ceramic vessels. Stems and even glimpses of water may be visible through the weave. The empty spaces between bamboo strips are therefore as important to the design as the bamboo itself.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.