A Bundle of Mountain Grape Bark: Raw Material for Basket Making

early twentieth century
as shown: 3" x 19" x 5", 7.5 cm x 48.5 cm x 12.5 cm
approximate weight: 7 oz., 198 grams

In rural Japan baskets were often made using fibers that were foraged for: the bark of the mountain grape is one of those well-used basket making fibers and offered here is a shank of mountain grape bark which is a beautiful object in and of itself.

Mountain grape bark is known for its flexibility and durability.  It is said that even old baskets are still "fresh": apparently if an older basket becomes misshapen from mishandling or too much use, it can be easily molded back to its original shape by wetting the fibers and re-setting the basket.

It is a beautiful raw fiber with a rich, brown color and with great tensile strength.

Wonderful.