Vintage Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-983

Japanese Ikebana Hana-kago Flower Basket | Wabi-Sabi Home Decor & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-983

A tall, open-weave bamboo ikebana basket with a twisted handle and artisan signature -- handcrafted for the Japanese flower arrangement tradition.

A hana-kago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used in ikebana, the centuries-old art of floral arrangement. Unlike dense, closed-weave baskets, the hana-kago was designed with an open lattice body that allows the stems and blooms to remain partially visible, making the vessel itself an integral part of the overall composition. This striking example features a tall, cylindrical form with a square base -- a shape well suited to upright ikebana styles such as rikka or shoka -- and is hand-woven from split bamboo strips in a bold, interlocking pattern. The twisted and braided bamboo handle arches gracefully overhead, and the rim is finished with a tightly coiled wrap that frames the open mouth of the basket. Close-up images reveal an artisan's signature brushed onto the base in red ink, confirming this as the work of a named craftsperson rather than a mass-produced piece -- a desirable quality among collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese antique basket translates beautifully beyond its original use. Stand it upright as a living room accent to hold dried pampas grass, tall branches, or sculptural stems in the Japandi style. Laid on its side on a console or bookshelf, the open weave and warm honey tones make it a striking decorative object in its own right, perfectly suited to a wabi-sabi aesthetic or minimalist decor. It also works well as an entryway organizer for umbrellas or walking sticks, or as a unique gift for collectors and Japanophiles who appreciate handmade objects with genuine provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Split bamboo; twisted bamboo handle and rim wrap
• Use: Ikebana flower arrangement basket (hana-kago)
• Modern Use: Living room accent for dried botanicals or sculptural branches; entryway organizer for umbrellas; decorative display object in Japandi or wabi-sabi interiors
• Features: Tall cylindrical body with square base; open interlocking lattice weave; arched twisted-bamboo handle with braided rim finish; artisan's red ink signature brushed onto the base
• Dimensions: 6" Diameter x 21"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare signed example of vintage Japanese bamboo craft -- a handsome living room accent that carries the quiet elegance of the ikebana tradition into any modern space.

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.