Vintage Japanese Bamboo Hanakago Flower Basket, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-063

Vintage Japanese Bamboo Hanakago Flower Basket, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-063

A sculptural handwoven bamboo basket with a dramatic arched handle -- a refined expression of mid-century Japanese craft.

A hanakago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used to display seasonal blossoms in the art of ikebana, the centuries-old practice of Japanese flower arranging. This vintage hanakago from the Mid Showa period is a superb example of handcrafted Japanese basketry, woven entirely from finely split bamboo and darkened to a rich espresso brown through age and use. The wide, shallow body features a tightly woven base and a beautifully executed herringbone-pattern side wall -- a weaving technique that requires considerable skill and patience. The rim is finished with a neat coiled border, while the base sits on a small raised foot for stability. Most striking is the tall, arching handle constructed from multiple slender bamboo ribs that fan out from a single bound crown at the apex and attach individually around the basket rim, creating an open, cage-like silhouette that is as sculptural as it is functional. This design is characteristic of the sunaba-kago style favored for ikebana display, where the open handle frames the arrangement as much as supports it.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese bamboo basket makes a stunning living room accent or entryway statement piece -- simply set it on a console, sideboard, or low table and let its dark sculptural form speak for itself. Fill the shallow bowl with seasonal fruit for a striking kitchen centerpiece, tuck dried botanicals or pampas grass inside for a wabi-sabi aesthetic display, or use it as a decorative catch-all for letters and small objects in a Japandi-style entryway. Its dramatic open handle gives it the presence of a piece of functional sculpture, making it an equally inspired housewarming gift or gift for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Handwoven split bamboo, naturally darkened
• Use: Ikebana flower basket (hanakago); decorative display
• Modern Use: Fruit bowl or kitchen centerpiece; dried botanical or pampas grass display; Japandi-style entryway or living room accent
• Features: Wide shallow woven body with tightly worked base; herringbone-pattern side walls; coiled rim border; raised foot; dramatic multi-rib arched handle with fanned ribs bound at the crown and individually secured to the rim
• Dimensions: 13 1/2" Diameter x 13"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and sculptural piece of vintage Japanese bamboo craft -- as much a work of art as a functional basket, and a timeless addition to 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.