Saco Ajiro

This bag is made of bamboo, a traditional Japanese craft!
It is a stable, horizontal box-shaped bag that is small enough to hold a wallet, cell phone, notebook, favorite book, etc. The gusset is thin, so it is not bulky and gives a neat impression. The
gusset is thin, so it is not bulky and gives a neat impression when you carry it. 4 corners are reinforced with rattan braid and carefully finished.
It is available in a variety of colors, so choose your favorite!

Width：32cm
Depth：10.5cm
Height：18.5cm
Weight：400g

Bamboo
Rattan
Cotton

BAMBOO STUDIO ONSE

"The importance of experiencing everything from A to Z on my own"

I used to be a business person at a company. As soon as I quit my job, I built my own house by myself. By going through the entire process, I understood the importance of each step and the implications of each step. This experience has been applied to the current bamboo crafts, and I am able to grasp the role and meaning of each process and do it carefully. I want people to experience works filled with charm that cannot be made by machines.

ARTISAN STORY

Masato Takae / Bamboo Studio Onse
In 1985, he quit his job and built a log house in search of a natural lifestyle. While he was living there, he learned about bamboo craft, the only traditional craft in Oita Prefecture. He decided to become a craftsman at the time. He has been a craftsman for 38 years, and continues to produce a wide range of products, doing everything by himself from splitting the bamboo to the final process.

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Selected, Japan Folk Crafts Competition
・Designated as a traditional craftsman in 2000
・Selected, National Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japan
・He has received many other awards for their work.

BEPPU TAKE ZAIKU / BEPPU BAMBOO CRAFT

About 1,900 years ago / 100s / Ancient Japan

Beppu bamboo craft carries a legend reaching back to ancient times, when an imperial cook supposedly discovered excellent local bamboo and made baskets. Historically, the industry expanded much later as the hot-spring town attracted visitors who needed baskets and bought souvenirs, while modern training institutions helped raise technical standards.

In Japan, Beppu is known for bamboo work ranging from practical colanders and baskets to flower containers, bags, lighting and sculptural art. Tourism and craft production developed together, making bamboo one of Oita’s strongest regional identities.

Every strip must be prepared to consistent width and thickness, yet the same bamboo can behave completely differently depending on the weave. Hexagonal, twill and mat-like patterns can make a structure feel soft like textile or rigid like architecture. Geometry transforms one material into many kinds of object.

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.