This is a handwoven willow basket with handles.

Its pure, striking whiteness and the fine spiral weave
that flows like water or wind make it a basket that naturally draws the eye.

The maker is Mr. Jefke, who lives in Belgium.

He works together with his mother, Ms. Jeanny, creating baskets based on traditional European forms while incorporating their own techniques and precision to achieve stronger and more refined results.

Jefke began basket weaving at the age of five, and by eleven, he realized that what he truly wanted to create was this kind of “delicate willow work.”

Together with his mother, he apprenticed for two years under a master of fine willow weaving in the Netherlands, where he mastered this highly intricate technique.

This is a handled basket with a gently rounded form that swells slightly toward the base.

Its plump, stable shape gives a soft and gentle impression.

The willow used for this basket differs from the “weeping willow” often seen in Japan, as it grows upright from the ground like rice stalks, rather than hanging down from trees.

There are many varieties of willow, each with its own color and characteristics.

Some have thin or thick branches, some long and others short; some are suited to being used with the bark left on, while others reveal a pale surface once the bark is peeled away.

Colors also vary—from reddish and bluish tones to deep browns—so even among willows, there are countless subtle differences in texture and hue.

The smaller handled basket with a reddish tone, seen to the right in the photo, is made from the same willow, but woven using the unpeeled twigs as they are.

There is a wide range of color variations in willow bark, but this basket represents the more common appearance of willow work.

By contrast, this white, finely woven basket is made using willow that has had its bark peeled off, then split even finer with a drawknife into strips measured precisely in millimeters.

Both the width and thickness of each strip are measured in millimeters,
and the basket is woven carefully around a wooden mold using these slender pieces.

It is a highly time-consuming technique, but through it, a “basket like a jewel” is created.

Here we introduce the “Spiral,” a basket woven from finely split white willow,
named for its flowing, spiral pattern.

A softly rounded basket with a gentle presence.
The spiral pattern circles around it, as if tracing and celebrating that roundness.

Depending on your mood or the season,
you can place a bandana, handkerchief, or scarf over it as a fabric cover.

It will completely change the atmosphere.

Inside your home, it can also serve as a handled storage basket,
adding a gentle brightness to the interior.

The white willow, with its soft luster, gives off a quiet radiance.
When your eyes happen to rest on it during your time at home,
it has a quiet power that brings a small, satisfying sense of calm.

Baskets by the mother and son duo, Jeanny and Jefke

It all began when Jeanny found a book about basketry at a library,
made her first basket, and became fascinated by willow as a material.
For more than 25 years, she has continued to create baskets,
constantly seeking what she calls “true craftsmanship.”

Her passion for basket weaving naturally passed on to her son, Jefke,
who had been by her side since childhood.
At the age of five, he made his first basket.

When Jefke was eleven, he realized that what he truly wanted to create
was delicate and finely woven willow work.
Encouraged by his enthusiasm, Jeanny and Jefke spent two years in the Netherlands,
training under a master known for his intricate willow weaving techniques.

Jefke’s finely detailed weaving embodies the essence of European basketry,
where, as the saying goes, “from cradle to grave,” baskets are made to serve every need of daily life.

An Encounter with Jeanny and Jefke from Belgium (Part 1)

Jewel-Like Baskets from Belgium: Jeanny and Jefke (Part 2)

Please note:
This item ships from Japan.
As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country.
These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.