Vintage Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-521-2

Japanese Ikebana Hanakago Flower Basket | Vintage Bud Vase & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-521-2

A handwoven bamboo hanakago with a removable lacquered inner tube -- a compact treasure of the Japanese ikebana tradition.

A hanakago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used in ikebana, the disciplined art of flower arranging that has been practiced in Japan for centuries. This compact example is hand-woven from thinly split bamboo strips displaying a warm honey-and-brown mottled coloration, a natural characteristic of the material that deepens richly with age. The weave is open and irregular in a deliberately loose, expressive style known in basket craft as "random weave" -- prized in ikebana for the organic, wabi-sabi aesthetic it brings to a floral composition. The form is gently barrel-shaped, narrowing slightly at each end, with the weaving reinforced at the edges by wider bound hoops of darker bamboo. A removable black lacquered cylindrical inner tube slides neatly into the basket opening, holding water and cut stems upright -- a practical detail that allowed the arranger to achieve precise, upright compositions without disturbing the outer basket's sculptural form. This is a fine example of vintage Japanese craft from the Late Showa era, and a collectible piece for admirers of handcrafted Japanese antiques.

Today this hanakago offers a wealth of possibilities in a modern interior. Fitted with its inner tube, it functions beautifully as a bud vase for a single stem of dried pampas grass, a branch of cherry blossom, or a spray of seasonal foliage -- an effortless living room accent in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic setting. Without the insert, its sculptural open weave makes it a striking standalone decorative object on a bookshelf, side table, or entryway console. It would also serve as a charming desktop organizer for slim items such as pens, brushes, or chopsticks. A unique housewarming gift or gift for Japanophiles who appreciate the quiet beauty of handmade Japanese antique craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Woven bamboo strips; removable black lacquered cylindrical inner tube
• Use: Ikebana flower basket -- designed to hold cut flower arrangements, with inner tube retaining water for fresh stems
• Modern Use: Bud vase or stem holder for dried or fresh florals; decorative living room or entryway accent; desktop organizer for pens or brushes
• Features: Open random-weave bamboo construction; warm mottled honey-and-brown coloration; reinforced edge hoops in darker bamboo; removable black lacquered inner tube included; barrel form narrowing at each end
• Dimensions: 5"W x 3"D x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully handcrafted Japanese antique ikebana basket that brings the timeless wabi-sabi aesthetic of traditional flower arranging 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.