青森県の伝統工芸品（あけび蔓細工）

丹念に編み込まれ、丈夫で使うほどになじむ「あけび蔓細工」

あけび蔓細工は江戸時代の末に岩木山麓の嶽（だけ）温泉で、湯治客への土産品として、付近の山々に自生するあけび蔓を原料とし、炭籠・手提げ籠などが広く作られるようになった。明治以降には内外の展覧会をはじめ、広く海外へも市場が広がった。
全行程を手作業で行い、時間と手間暇をかけて丹念に仕上げられているため、あけび蔓細工のもつ色合い、野趣豊かな手触り、基本的な並編みや中が透けてみえるこだし編みなどの多彩な編み模様は、落ち着きと自然の温かさを感じさせる。また、耐久性に優れ、使うほどに滑らかさと艶で出てくるため末永く楽しめる一品である。


“Akebi” Vine Crafts - painstakingly woven, these crafts are robust and easy to get attached to

The making of this craftwork started in the late Edo period (1603-1867), when the local people began to make charcoal baskets and swagger baskets from locally obtained akebi-vine as souvenirs for visitors to the Dake hot springs at the foot of Mt. Iwaki. From the Meiji period (1867-1911), there were domestic and international exhibitions of this craft product, so the market extended overseas.Because all processes are done by hand and the crafts are put together painstakingly requiring much time and effort, "Akebi" Vine Crafts have a warm hue, rich rustic feel, and a simply knitted and see-through look. In addition, the wide variety of knitting patterns give these items a soothing and warmly natural feel. They are also very durable and have a luster and smoothness that enhances over time, so they can be enjoyed forever.