Vintage Japanese Basket, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-003

Japanese Sho-kago Backpack Basket | Vintage Storage Basket & Living Room Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-003

A handwoven bamboo carry basket with original rag-wrapped shoulder straps -- a rare surviving example of everyday rural craftsmanship from postwar Japan.

A sho-kago (carry basket) is a traditional Japanese woven backpack basket used by farmers, merchants, and mountain workers to transport goods hands-free across the countryside. This Mid Showa example is constructed from tightly woven split bamboo strips over a sturdy bamboo frame, giving the body a warm honey-and-amber tone that has deepened beautifully with age. The silhouette is distinctly barrel-shaped -- wide at the shoulders and tapering toward a reinforced flat base -- and the open top rim is bound with thick rounded bamboo poles and secured with leather-wrapped joints at the corners, a hallmark of quality village basketry. The interior reveals a spacious, well-structured cavity ideal for carrying bulky loads. Vertical bamboo ribs run along the exterior base, adding structural rigidity and preventing wear on the weave. What makes this piece truly exceptional among Japanese antique folk craft is the original pair of shoulder straps -- lengths of braided fiber rope padded with hand-wrapped rags in indigo blue, persimmon orange, dusty red, and natural undyed tones, in the resourceful mottainai tradition of reusing worn textile scraps.

Today this handcrafted Japanese basket makes a striking statement in any modern interior. Style it as a living room accent beside a sofa or in an entryway corner to hold rolled blankets, throws, or umbrellas -- its generous open volume is as practical as it is beautiful. The warm bamboo tones and wabi-sabi aesthetic make it a natural fit for Japandi-style or minimalist decor, and the colorful rag-wrapped straps add an artisanal folk-craft energy reminiscent of boro textile traditions. It also works beautifully as a bedroom decor piece holding extra pillows or as a dramatic planter stand for a tall potted plant. A truly unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handmade vintage Japanese craft with genuine provenance and character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Split bamboo weave over bamboo pole frame; leather-wrapped corner joints; braided fiber rope and rag-wrapped shoulder straps in mixed reclaimed textiles
• Use: Traditional backpack carry basket (sho-kago) used for transporting goods in rural and agricultural settings
• Modern Use: Living room blanket or throw storage; entryway umbrella and accessory holder; statement planter stand or decorative accent in Japandi or wabi-sabi interiors
• Features: Barrel-shaped woven bamboo body; open top with thick rounded bamboo rim binding; leather-wrapped corner joints with wire lashing detail; reinforced vertical bamboo ribs along base exterior; original rag-wrapped shoulder straps in indigo, orange, red, and natural tones attached via metal ring hooks; spacious open interior
• Dimensions: 12"W x 13"D x 16"H
• Condition: Good -- consistent with age and use; weave intact and structurally sound; shoulder straps show wear and fraying consistent with original use; overall patina adds to character

A rare and evocative piece of Japanese antique folk craft -- the kind of handmade vintage Japanese basket that carries both history and warmth 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.