Vintage Japanese Bamboo Hanakago (Flower Basket), Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26M-849

Vintage Japanese Bamboo Hanakago (Flower Basket), Early Showa (1927-1945) | SKU: 26M-849

A richly woven bamboo hanakago of amphora form -- bold open-weave craftsmanship from prewar Japan.

A hanakago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used to hold arrangements in the practice of ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging. This exceptional example takes the form of a classic amphora -- a wide, globular body narrowing to a tall cylindrical neck and flaring rim -- evoking the ceramic jar forms that Japanese basketmakers often translated into woven bamboo during the early Showa period. The body is worked in a bold open herringbone and diagonal lattice weave, while the neck transitions to a finer, tighter plain weave, demonstrating the maker's command of multiple techniques within a single piece. A pair of tightly wrapped loop handles flank the neck, each formed by coiling flat bamboo strips around a curved bamboo core -- a detail that adds sculptural presence and echoes the amphora silhouette. The basket sits on small woven feet, lifting it cleanly off any surface. The bamboo has developed a deep, warm auburn tone throughout, the hallmark of aged and properly cured material found in fine vintage Japanese craft.

In a modern home, this striking hanakago works beautifully as a decorative living room accent -- displayed on a console, sideboard, or low shelf with a simple dried branch or seasonal bloom tucked inside to honor its ikebana origins. Its open weave and sculptural silhouette also make it an ideal planter cache-pot, concealing a potted plant while adding warmth and texture to a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior. Collectors and Japanophiles will appreciate the confident form and prewar craftsmanship; it also makes a thoughtful and unique gift for anyone drawn to handcrafted Japanese vintage pieces and natural materials.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Bamboo -- flat-split strips woven over a bamboo framework, with deep amber-auburn patina consistent with age
• Use: Ikebana flower basket (hanakago); decorative vessel for floral arrangements
• Modern Use: Ikebana or dried-flower display; decorative living room or entryway accent; cache-pot for a potted plant in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled space
• Features: Amphora-inspired silhouette with wide globular body, constricted waist, and flared neck; open herringbone and diagonal lattice weave on the body; finer plain weave on the neck; pair of wrapped loop handles at the shoulder; small woven feet at the base; multiple distinct weave patterns throughout
• Dimensions: 11" Diameter x 11"H
• Condition: Excellent

A masterwork of vintage Japanese bamboo craft -- this hanakago brings the quiet beauty of ikebana tradition and wabi-sabi elegance into any modern interior.

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 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.