Traditional Japanese bandori woven entirely from rice straw ("wara") with some cotton rag woven into the base of the carrying straps and cords attaching them to bottom "rim" of object. Tag indicates that the rice straw is woven in "neko" style; straw is braided vertically with the appearance of parallel plaits, yet the braid is continuous. Weave continues around the sides of the bandori without any break or seams. This creates a funnel shape with opening at either end. One end is "sewn" shut, while the other becomes the mouth of the bandori, where items may be carried. Two braided shoulder straps the length of the basket taper into cords that are attached to the bottom "rim.
The name "bandori" is a local dialect for "back protector" and is usually associated with Yamagata Prefecture, although they were also made in Fukushima, Niigata, and Nagano. Object is also referred to as "senaka-ate," meaning "back protector" or "back support" in Japanese. It describes a type of basket, known in Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures as "neko," "ichiko," "doshoi," "shoiko," "sengo senakaate," and "nekoza." This heavy basket, worn on the back with shoulder carrying straps, served the dual function of carrying loads and protecting the back from heavy, awkward or angular loads. The term "senaka-ate" is also used to describe mats worn while carrying raw agricultural materials over the shoulder as protection from wet, burdensome loads.