Vintage Japanese Ikebana Kago Bamboo Flower Basket with Bamboo Tube Insert, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0816

Vintage Japanese Ikebana Kago Bamboo Flower Basket with Bamboo Tube Insert, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0816

A handwoven bamboo ikebana basket with hollow bamboo tube insert -- a compact and artful vessel rooted in the Japanese tradition of flower arranging.

An ikebana kago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used in the practice of ikebana -- the ancient art of Japanese flower arranging. This compact vintage example features a tall, barrel-shaped body hand-woven from split bamboo in a richly textured pattern, with looped side handles arching from the waist and a tightly coiled rim at the open top. The weave varies in density from base to neck, giving the form a gently sculptural silhouette. A separate hollow bamboo tube insert -- slightly squared in cross-section and darkened to a deep reddish-brown -- nestles inside the basket to hold stems upright, a functional detail characteristic of handcrafted Japanese ikebana vessels. The deep chestnut patina across both pieces speaks to decades of careful use, and the aged wear on the woven surface adds honest wabi-sabi character consistent with vintage Japanese craft of the Late Showa period.

In a modern home, this ikebana kago makes a beautifully understated living room accent or entryway decor piece -- display a single stem or dried branch in the bamboo tube insert for a minimalist, Japandi-style vignette. It also works well as a small desktop organizer for pens, brushes, or letter openers, or as a bedside accent holding a sprig of dried botanicals. Its compact footprint and warm tones make it a thoughtful and unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone drawn to wabi-sabi aesthetic and handmade Japanese objects.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Woven split bamboo body; hollow bamboo tube insert
• Use: Ikebana flower arranging -- outer woven basket as decorative vessel, bamboo tube insert to hold flower stems
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway floral accent with dried stems; desktop organizer for pens or brushes; bedside decor with dried botanicals
• Features: Barrel-shaped woven body with varying weave density; looped side handles; tightly wrapped open rim; separate hollow bamboo tube insert; deep reddish-brown patina throughout; aged wear consistent with vintage use
• Dimensions: 5"W x 3"D x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent

A quietly beautiful piece of vintage Japanese craft -- this ikebana kago brings the meditative spirit of traditional flower arranging 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 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.