Vintage Japanese Bamboo Kago Basket, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0592-4

Vintage Japanese Bamboo Kago Basket, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0592-4

A handwoven bamboo kago basket with deep herringbone plaiting and arched handle -- a quietly beautiful relic of everyday Japanese craft.

A kago is a traditional Japanese carrying basket woven from split bamboo strips, used for generations to transport goods at market, in the home, and across the countryside. This mid-century example displays fine herringbone-style plaiting across its deep rectangular body, which tapers gently toward a softly rounded base. The weave is tight and confident, the work of a skilled craftsperson, and the entire surface has aged to a rich reddish-brown patina that deepens the visual texture of each interlaced strip. A sturdy arched bamboo handle rises from a neatly bound rim, secured with wrapped bamboo cord -- details that speak to the care and practicality built into this handcrafted Japanese basket. The open top and generous interior reflect its original purpose as an everyday carrying vessel, a form that has remained essentially unchanged for centuries of Japanese rural and domestic life.

Today this vintage Japanese bamboo basket translates beautifully into modern interiors. Its warm, dark tones and organic texture make it a natural fit for wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi style decor -- lean it against a wall as a living room accent, stand it upright on a shelf or entryway console to hold dried flowers or tall grasses, or use it as a stylish storage basket for throws and rolled linens in a bedroom. The sculptural arched handle gives it the presence of a display object even when empty. At this compact size, it also works as a unique gift for Japanophiles or collectors of vintage Japanese craft who appreciate items that carry genuine history and patina.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Woven bamboo strips; bamboo frame, rim binding, and arched handle
• Use: Everyday carrying basket (kago) for transporting goods
• Modern Use: Dried flower or branch display vessel; entryway or living room decorative accent; bedroom storage for throws or linens
• Features: Herringbone-style bamboo plaiting throughout; deep tapered body with softly rounded base; arched bamboo loop handle; wrapped bamboo rim binding; rich reddish-brown aged patina; open top
• Dimensions: 7"W x 6"D x 13"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition consistent with age and use; surface wear and minor splitting to bamboo strips visible; overall structure intact

A timeless example of handcrafted Japanese bamboo weaving -- wabi-sabi in its finest, most functional form.

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.