Vintage Japanese Ikebana Bamboo Basket (Kago) with Inner Liner, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0166-3

Vintage Japanese Ikebana Bamboo Basket (Kago) with Inner Liner, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0166-3

A handwoven bamboo ikebana basket with bulbous body, wrapped rim, and original cylindrical inner liner -- a compact and quietly beautiful piece of vintage Japanese craft.

An ikebana kago is a traditional Japanese flower basket designed to hold a water vessel or liner for displaying cut flowers and branches in the contemplative style of ikebana arrangement. This small, round kago features a deeply bulbous body woven entirely from flat bamboo strips in a bold diagonal herringbone pattern, finished in a rich reddish-brown patina that has deepened beautifully with age. The rim is neatly wrapped with bundled bamboo cane, and small loop side handles add a refined, vessel-like character to the piece. The coiled foot ring provides a stable base, while the open-weave bottom -- clearly visible in the detail images -- is a hallmark of traditional basket construction. A separate cylindrical bamboo inner liner, finished in a deep lacquer red, accompanies the basket and fits neatly inside to hold water for fresh or dried stems. The patina, weave density, and overall form are consistent with handcrafted Japanese vintage basketry from the early Showa period.

Today, this compact kago translates effortlessly into modern interiors. At just five inches across, it sits beautifully on a windowsill, side table, or bookshelf as a living room accent, styled with a single dried stem, a small succulent pot, or a bundle of pampas grass for a wabi-sabi aesthetic. It also works well as a desk organizer -- the inner liner holds pens, brushes, or small tools neatly -- or as a unique gift for collectors and Japanophiles who appreciate handcrafted Japanese vintage pieces with authentic provenance. Its warm reddish-brown tones complement Japandi style interiors, earthy neutrals, and natural wood furnishings alike.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Woven bamboo strip body with bundled bamboo rim wrapping and coiled foot ring; separate cylindrical bamboo inner liner with deep red finish
• Use: Ikebana flower basket -- designed to hold a water liner for cut flower or branch display in traditional Japanese flower arranging
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent with dried botanicals; desktop organizer for pens or brushes using the included inner liner; unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage craft
• Features: Bulbous rounded body; bold diagonal herringbone bamboo weave in reddish-brown patina; wrapped bamboo rim; small loop side handles; coiled foot ring; open-weave base; includes original cylindrical bamboo inner liner
• Dimensions: 5"Diameter x 4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and beautifully preserved piece of Japanese vintage basketry -- this ikebana kago brings the wabi-sabi warmth of early Showa craft 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 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.