Vintage Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-784 (26M-784-3)

Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket | Vintage Woven Bamboo Vase & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-784-3

A handcrafted bamboo ikebana basket with open diamond weave, arching handle, and original inner vessel -- a wabi-sabi treasure for flower arranging and modern home decor.

An ikebana kago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used as a vase or vessel holder in the practice of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike Western floral design, ikebana emphasizes negative space, asymmetry, and a harmony between the arrangement and its container -- making the basket itself an integral part of the composition. This handcrafted vintage Japanese bamboo basket dates to the Late Showa period and exemplifies the quiet artistry of Japanese antique craft. The globular body is woven in an open diagonal (gosu ami) lattice pattern, allowing light to play through the interlaced splits and casting delicate shadow patterns around it. The rim is finished with a neatly wrapped border, and the arching overhead handle is formed from slender bundled bamboo strips, lending the piece an elegant, almost sculptural silhouette. The base reveals a beautifully worked starburst weave -- a hallmark of skilled Japanese basket making. The basket retains its original cylindrical black lacquered inner vessel, which holds water and stems while remaining discreetly hidden within the open weave body.

In a modern home, this vintage ikebana basket transitions effortlessly from its original purpose into a striking decorative accent. Use it as a living room centerpiece with a simple arrangement of dried pampas grass or seasonal branches for an effortless Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic. Tuck a small potted succulent or trailing plant inside the inner vessel for an understated bedroom decor accent. The warm dark-brown tones and open weave texture also make it a natural fit as a tabletop display piece or entryway accent on a console or sideboard. A unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, and anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese antiques with quiet, enduring beauty.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Woven bamboo splits with dark lacquer or stain finish; original black lacquered cylindrical inner vessel included
• Use: Ikebana flower arrangement basket -- designed to hold an inner vessel for fresh or dried flower display
• Modern Use: Living room floral or branch display; bedroom or entryway decorative accent; tabletop planter with a small potted plant inside the inner vessel
• Features: Rounded globular body with open diagonal lattice (gosu ami) weave; neatly wrapped rim border; arching overhead handle of bundled bamboo strips; starburst base weave; includes original black lacquered cylindrical inner vessel
• Dimensions: 8" Diameter x 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless piece of handcrafted Japanese antique basketry that brings the meditative spirit of ikebana and the wabi-sabi aesthetic 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.