Vintage Japanese Bamboo Hanakago Flower Basket, Heisei 1990-2018 | SKU: 26J-0714

Vintage Japanese Bamboo Hanakago Flower Basket, Heisei 1990-2018 | SKU: 26J-0714

A sculptural open-weave bamboo hanakago with deep lacquered finish and a signed Kurume provenance -- a striking piece of vintage Japanese craft.

A hanakago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used to display ikebana arrangements, the refined art of Japanese flower arranging. This exceptional example features a boldly globular body woven from wide, flat bamboo strips in a sweeping diagonal lattice pattern, finished in a deep black lacquer that reveals rich red-brown tones at every edge and crossing point -- a hallmark of skilled Kurume-area bamboo craft from Kyushu. The arching handle is formed from thick twisted bamboo cord braided in the same dramatic two-tone finish, and horizontal twisted-cord banding rings the body at several levels, adding rhythmic texture to the open weave. A gold-ink maker's signature inscribed on an interior strip reads "Kurume," confirming regional craft origin. The basket retains its original cylindrical bamboo tube insert, designed to hold water or a kenzan (flower frog) for ikebana use -- a detail that underscores the basket's completeness and authenticity as a piece of handcrafted Japanese bamboo art.

Today this hanakago is as much a sculptural object as a functional one, and it adapts beautifully to modern interiors. Display it as a living room accent on a side table or shelf, filled with dried grasses, pampas plumes, or seasonal branches for a wabi-sabi aesthetic that feels both timeless and contemporary. Its bold dark coloring and open lattice silhouette make it equally at home in a Japandi style entryway -- holding an umbrella, tall dried stems, or a trailing potted vine -- or as a dramatic bedroom decor piece on a dresser or windowsill. A unique gift for Japanophiles, flower arrangers, and collectors of vintage Japanese craft, this basket brings gallery-worthy presence to any room.

• Origin: Japan, Kurume region (Kyushu)
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Lacquered bamboo strips and twisted bamboo cord; black and red-tone finish; includes cylindrical bamboo tube insert
• Use: Ikebana flower basket (hanakago); designed to hold a cylindrical water tube or kenzan for Japanese flower arrangement display
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway accent with dried botanicals; Japandi-style decorative vessel; unique gift for collectors and flower arrangers
• Features: Globular open-lattice body with sweeping diagonal bamboo strip weave; arching twisted-cord handle; multiple twisted-cord banding rings; deep black lacquer finish with red-tone edge highlights; gold-ink maker's signature on interior strip; original bamboo tube insert included
• Dimensions: 10 1/2"Diameter x 14 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese bamboo craft -- handwoven, lacquered, and signed -- that brings the quiet drama of ikebana tradition 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.