Vintage Japanese Basket, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-900

Japanese Take Kago Bamboo Tray Basket | Vintage Desk Organizer & Decorative Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-900

A finely woven mid-century bamboo tray with a rich amber patina and meticulous herringbone basketry -- a quiet testament to Japan's enduring craft tradition.

A take kago is a traditional Japanese woven bamboo vessel used throughout the home for presenting, storing, and organizing everyday items. This low, rectangular tray basket dates to the mid-Showa period and showcases the refined skill of Japanese bamboo craft at its most utilitarian yet beautiful. The exterior walls are densely woven in a classic herringbone (yaeyasuri-gumi) pattern using thinly split bamboo strips, while the interior repeats the same tight weave in a noticeably deeper, lacquered red-brown tone. A sturdy bamboo rim frames the open top, secured with small metal tacks at intervals -- a hallmark of careful construction. The flat base rests on small woven feet, and the underside reveals crossed bamboo reinforcing bars that speak to the maker's attention to longevity. The warm, tobacco-amber color of the exterior has deepened beautifully with age, giving this vintage Japanese craft piece an unmistakable wabi-sabi character that no reproduction could replicate.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese bamboo tray is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it on a desk or home office shelf as a catch-all organizer for stationery, mail, or small accessories -- its low profile keeps things visible and within reach. On a coffee table or dining sideboard it makes a striking living room accent tray for displaying candles, river stones, or dried botanicals in the Japandi style. It works equally well in an entryway as a key and sunglasses tray, or on a bathroom shelf as a spa-inspired organizer for rolled towels or small toiletries. A unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques or for anyone drawn to handmade, natural-material decor.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Split bamboo (herringbone weave); bamboo rim with metal tack reinforcement; bamboo crossbar supports on base
• Use: Household storage and presentation tray -- used to hold small items, sewing notions, or household sundries
• Modern Use: Desk organizer or home office catch-all tray; living room decorative accent for displaying botanicals or candles; entryway or bathroom organizer
• Features: Dense herringbone bamboo weave on exterior and interior; deep lacquered red-brown interior tone; sturdy bamboo rim secured with metal tacks; small woven feet lifting the base; crossed bamboo reinforcing bars on underside; rich amber patina throughout
• Dimensions: 9 1/2"W x 13 1/2"D x 3 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully aged piece of Japanese antique bamboo craft that brings warmth, texture, and wabi-sabi elegance to 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.