The history of Akebia vine crafts in Aomori Prefecture dates back to the Yayoi period, and Aizu samurai who visited the hot springs at the foot of Mt. Iwaki during the late Edo period refined Akebia basket-making techniques that have been passed down and are still being used today. Young Akebia trifoliate vines are typically harvested from summer to autumn, bundled and preserved for 2 to 3 years, then soaked in water to soften them. Craftsmen weave the bottom of the basket first, followed by the body and edges. Every step of the process, from harvesting and weaving to finishing, is performed by hand. Today, however, the materials used to create these baskets are becoming increasingly scarce.