Japanese mapple wood basket by atelier Unoh

North of Kyōto, near the charming village of Miyama and surrounded by mountains covered with cedar and cypress trees, Masayuki Unō, founder of the Unoh workshop, has been lovingly making boxes and baskets for the past 30 years using a technique similar to magewappa, or “bent wood”, a 400-year-old Japanese tradition, and in the spirit of Shaker craftsmanship. Inherited from the Shaker communities established in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Shaker style favours simplicity of form, functionality and quality of craftsmanship, a refined aesthetic that finds a natural echo in the Japanese craft tradition.

Maple trunks are cut into thin strips, keeping only those whose grain matches the desired appearance. The strips are boiled to soften them, then bent around custom-made forms, and small copper tacks are added in the Shaker tradition. Each element, the base, body and handle, is carefully worked so that they fit together perfectly. The boxes and trays are then oiled and waxed. The entire process takes several weeks.

With its handle and open top, this box/basket is a versatile, multi-purpose object: it can be used to store or carry objects, as an elegant tea tray, a charming basket, or to hold a beautiful arrangement of dried flowers. It has the serenity of objects that age beautifully and develop a patina over time, becoming lifelong companions. With its perfect curves and beauty, it fits effortlessly into any interior and any style of decoration.

CARE INSTRUCTIONSTo be cleaned with a soft cloth and a little warm water.

Shipping costs will be calculated and added at checkout.