Koshu-zaru @Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi

It is a good 2 or 3 hours on train from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko.

They have the lake,

Mt. Fuji,

pleasant trekking paths,

and the baskets.

Koshuzaru is made of fine Suzutake bamboo from Mt. Fuji.

It snows heavy here.

Basketry had been peasants' side job.

They traditionally make kitchen utensils like this pasta dish in this area.

Products were traded and probably sold in the cities like ancient Tokyo.

Nowadays it's protected under a preservation scheme.

Good thing about preservation is that often they have open studios.

To form this type of basket, several techniques are used.

The square part at the center is Ajiro pattern.

Nanamawashi is the windmill blades like part

that makes round bottom from the square center.

In their visitor workshop, they prepare the bottom part,

so you can finish coiling part and bring the basket to your home.

The course is available in Japanese.

Bring your Japanese friends or hire a guide,

or alternatively, you can learn Japanese

to explore the world of Japanese bamboo baskets.