Baskets from prehistoric site

Thousands years ago, people were living in huts like this in Japan. 

At least archeologists reconstructed using their imagination.

Japan is very humid. 

Organic material is usualy decomposed in years.

So discoveries like this basket is very rare.

This is a basket made from walnut bark in Jomon era.

Other evidence of basketry in prehistric Japan is found on the bottom of the pots.

They used baskets when making pot, similarly to bread dough to avoid sticking.

Transfering the pattern on the surface of the bottom of the pot.

They already had hexagonal pattern some 5000 years ago.

We don't know how it was developed or where it came from.

We don't know where they came from.

Are they our ancestors?

Sannai-Maruyama Prehistoric Site

Carrier

I was initially making a simple basket. Just the body with a handle.

But then, I realized that my teacher had a little bit different picture.

His told me that I should add more details.  

Well, why not?

Asanoha-ami (hemp pattern)

Tsuka-maki (grip binding)

Uzumaki-dome (swirl binding)

Komenoji-dome (rice binding)

Nagashi-maki (slanted binding)

Tasukigake (bracing)

I learned several rattan techniques making this basket.

It is typical to Meisters.

Artisans don't share these complicated rattan techniques.

I think they have different quality that we can appreciate.

Hexagonal Pattern Variations

Hana-mutsume (decorated hexagonal)

Mutsume (hexagonal)

Sashi-mutsume (stiched hexagonal)

Asanoha (hemp leaf)

Tessen (clematis)