Vintage Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-785

Japanese Ikebana Hana-kago Flower Basket | Living Room Accent & Fruit Bowl, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-785

A sculptural hand-woven bamboo ikebana basket with a distinctive boat-shaped silhouette and rustic bundled-foot base.

A hana-kago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used in ikebana -- the centuries-old Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike Western floral vessels, ikebana baskets are considered artistic objects in their own right, shaped and woven to complement the asymmetry and negative space that define the practice. This Late Showa-era example is hand-woven from split bamboo strips in a bold diagonal twill pattern, producing a rich two-tone surface of honey amber and deep tobacco brown. The basket takes an expressive, asymmetrical boat form -- one end rising to a graceful upswept point, the other tapering low -- a silhouette prized in ikebana for its ability to evoke natural landscapes. The rim is finished with a tightly coiled bamboo wrap, and the base features a rustic bundled-foot construction formed from gathered and bound bamboo ends, raising the vessel slightly off the surface. The overall character is deeply wabi-sabi -- irregular, organic, and beautifully aged -- typical of the handcrafted Japanese basketry tradition of this period.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese bamboo basket makes a striking living room accent displayed on a coffee table or shelf, its sculptural form requiring no adornment to draw the eye. Fill it with dried botanicals, seasonal branches, or foraged grasses to channel an authentic ikebana or Japandi style aesthetic. It also works beautifully as a decorative fruit bowl in a kitchen or dining room, or as a unique gift for collectors and Japanophiles who appreciate handmade Japanese antique craft. Its warm, earthy tones complement minimalist decor, natural linen textiles, and raw wood surfaces equally well.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Split bamboo, hand-woven in a diagonal twill pattern with coiled bamboo rim and bundled bamboo foot
• Use: Ikebana flower arrangement basket (hana-kago)
• Modern Use: Decorative living room accent with dried botanicals or branches; fruit bowl or kitchen display piece; unique housewarming gift for Japanophiles
• Features: Asymmetrical boat-shaped silhouette with upswept pointed end; bold diagonal twill weave in two-tone amber and dark brown bamboo; tightly wrapped coiled rim; rustic bundled-foot base raising the vessel off the surface; open-weave construction throughout
• Dimensions: 18"W x 13"D x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A sculptural piece of handcrafted Japanese antique basketry that brings the quiet beauty of ikebana and the wabi-sabi aesthetic 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 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.