Vintage Japanese Basket, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-592

Japanese Kago Lidded Basket | Vintage Storage Basket & Living Room Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-592

A handwoven bamboo kago with folding inner liner, raised bamboo legs, and a striking sunburst-patterned lid -- a rare and sculptural piece of vintage Japanese craft.

A kago is a traditional Japanese woven basket used for household storage, food keeping, and everyday organization. This Mid Showa-era example is an exceptional specimen of handcrafted Japanese basketry, featuring a generously proportioned round body woven in fine, densely packed bamboo strips that have mellowed to a rich honey-amber tone. The basket rests on turned bamboo legs that elevate it off the floor -- a practical detail that also gives it a distinctly refined presence. The fitted lid is woven in the same tight technique and displays a bold radiating sunburst pattern formed by flat bamboo splints fanning outward from the center, a hallmark of skilled regional craft. Inside, a collapsible inner liner -- formed from bundled fine grass or rush fibers tied with cord -- sits within the body, likely used to protect the contents or contain smaller items. The combination of these two distinct weaving traditions in a single piece speaks to the ingenuity and material fluency of its maker.

Today this vintage Japanese bamboo basket translates beautifully into modern interiors. Use it as a living room accent on a low shelf or tatami-inspired corner -- its warm natural tones and graphic lid make it as much a decorative object as a functional one. It works equally well as a blanket or throw storage basket beside a sofa, a bathroom organizer for towels and linens, or a unique entryway catchall. The wabi-sabi aesthetic of the aged bamboo and the tactile layering of the inner liner give it an organic warmth that suits Japandi-style, bohemian, and minimalist decor alike. A thoughtful housewarming gift or a standout find for collectors of Japanese antique craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Woven bamboo (body and lid); turned bamboo legs; bundled rush or grass fiber inner liner with cord ties
• Use: Household storage basket; food or textile keeping
• Modern Use: Living room blanket or throw storage; bathroom towel organizer; decorative accent or entryway catchall
• Features: Round drum-shaped body with dense close weave; removable fitted lid with radiating sunburst splint pattern; raised on multiple turned bamboo legs; collapsible bundled-fiber inner liner included; braided rim finish
• Dimensions: 14" Diameter x 8"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- the inner liner shows expected age-related fraying and loosening of the bundled fibers; the woven body and lid are intact and structurally sound with natural patina throughout.

A rare and characterful piece of handcrafted Japanese basketry that brings warmth, texture, and wabi-sabi spirit to 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.