Katsurao Bamboo Basketry

Katsurao Bamboo Basketry is a regional basketry tradition from Katsurao Village, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The craft is rooted in rural basket-making practices and is closely associated with agricultural life.

Historical Overview

The tradition emerged during the Edo period as a local response to everyday agricultural and domestic needs. Bamboo baskets were produced for transport, harvesting, and storage, forming the core bamboo craft activity in the region.

Despite social and economic changes, basket-making continued into the modern era as a preserved folk tradition.

Craft Characteristics

Basket production constitutes the dominant output of Katsurao bamboo work. The tradition is defined by functional basket forms rather than decorative or mixed bamboo objects.

Cultural Significance

Katsurao Bamboo Basketry represents a localized and community-based basketry tradition, illustrating the persistence of rural craft knowledge across historical periods.

References

• Fukushima Prefectural Museum. Traditional Crafts of Fukushima.
• Katsurao Village Cultural Heritage Office. Local historical records.
• Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan). Regional folk craft documentation.