Vintage Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-521-6

Japanese Ikebana Hanakago Flower Basket | Woven Bamboo Vase & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-521-6

A tall, finely woven bamboo ikebana basket with a removable bamboo tube liner and arched carrying handle -- a handcrafted Japanese antique for flower arranging and Japandi-style interiors.

A hanakago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used as a vessel in ikebana, the centuries-old Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike solid ceramic or lacquer vases, the hanakago relies on an open-weave bamboo shell paired with a hollow bamboo tube liner that holds water and stems securely inside. This example features a tall cylindrical body woven in a striking hexagonal and diagonal cross pattern -- known as mutsume-ami -- using fine split bamboo strips. The weave is even and tightly controlled throughout, demonstrating the skill of a practiced craftsperson working in a regional bamboo tradition common during the Late Showa period. A gently arched carrying handle, wrapped and lashed at the collar with layered bamboo strips, rises from a reinforced rim band. The removable inner liner, formed from a single section of natural bamboo culm, fits snugly within the woven outer shell and is visible in the detail images, confirming the basket's intended function as a working ikebana vessel.

Today this hanakago translates beautifully into a variety of modern living spaces. Display it as a statement piece of Japandi-style living room decor, standing upright with dried pampas grass, long-stem flowers, or seasonal branches arranged through the open weave for a wabi-sabi aesthetic. The slim cylindrical form also works well as an entryway accent holding umbrellas or decorative stems, or as a shelf display piece in a home office or reading nook. The warm honey tone of aged bamboo pairs naturally with linen, rattan, and raw wood surfaces. A distinctive and thoughtful unique gift for Japanophiles, ikebana enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates vintage Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Split bamboo (woven outer basket in mutsume-ami hexagonal weave); natural bamboo culm (removable inner liner)
• Use: Ikebana flower arrangement vessel; the woven outer basket houses a removable bamboo tube liner for holding water and flower stems
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway accent with dried botanicals or seasonal branches; decorative shelf display in a Japandi or minimalist interior; umbrella or long-stem holder near an entryway
• Features: Tall cylindrical form; open mutsume-ami hexagonal and diagonal cross weave; arched bamboo carrying handle lashed at a reinforced rim collar; removable hollow bamboo culm liner; warm natural honey tone throughout
• Dimensions: 4" Diameter x 14"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully handcrafted piece of vintage Japanese bamboo craft -- equally at home in an ikebana practice or as a striking living room accent in 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 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.