Antique Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-033 (26M-033-3)

Japanese Ikebana Hana-kago Flower Basket | Wabi-sabi Fruit Bowl & Living Room Accent, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-033-3

A low, oval hana-kago woven in finely split bamboo -- handcrafted for the Japanese art of ikebana flower arrangement.

A hana-kago is a traditional Japanese woven basket used to hold cut flowers or seasonal botanicals in the practice of ikebana, the centuries-old art of mindful flower arrangement. This early Showa example is shaped in a wide, low oval -- a classic suiban-style silhouette suited to shallow, naturalistic arrangements emphasizing negative space and asymmetry. The basket is constructed from finely split bamboo, woven in alternating flat-strip and round-reed patterns across the body, with a tightly braided herringbone border running along both the upper rim and the mid-body band -- a hallmark of skilled regional basket craft. The flat, closely woven rectangular base, visible in the detail images, shows a noticeably darker patina from age and handling, lending the piece the quiet, honest beauty of wabi-sabi aesthetics. The overall construction is firm and intact, demonstrating the quality of handcrafted Japanese basketry from this period.

In a modern home, this hana-kago adapts effortlessly beyond the ikebana alcove. Its generous oval opening and low profile make it an ideal fruit bowl or bread basket on a dining table or kitchen counter, bringing a warm, organic texture to everyday living. Styled on a coffee table or sideboard, it works beautifully as a living room accent holding dried botanicals, pampas grass, or eucalyptus -- perfectly suited to Japandi style or wabi-sabi-inspired interiors. It also functions as a desk organizer or catchall tray in a home office or entryway. A thoughtful housewarming gift or unique gift for collectors of Japanese antique craft and folk art.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Split bamboo -- flat-strip and round-reed weave with braided herringbone borders
• Use: Hana-kago (flower basket) for ikebana arrangements; also used to display seasonal botanicals
• Modern Use: Fruit bowl or bread basket for dining table; dried floral display for living room or entryway; desk organizer or catchall tray
• Features: Wide, low oval form; mixed weave technique combining flat-strip body panels with rounded-reed rows; tightly braided herringbone border at rim and mid-body; flat closely woven rectangular base; rich honey-to-dark-amber patina throughout
• Dimensions: 10"W x 9"D x 4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of Japanese antique basketry that brings the unhurried spirit of ikebana and wabi-sabi living into any modern home.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.