Vintage Japanese Ikebana Flower Basket, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-837

Japanese Hanakago Ikebana Flower Basket | Vintage Living Room Accent & Decorative Planter, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-837

A masterwork of Japanese bamboo weaving -- a grand ikebana hanakago with a sculpted open basin, open-lattice body, and splayed bamboo legs, presented with its original storage box.

A hanakago is a traditional Japanese flower basket used in ikebana -- the classical art of Japanese flower arranging. This exceptional vintage example is a tour de force of the bamboo craft tradition, showcasing the skill of a trained artisan working in the refined aesthetic of the Mid Showa period. The form is dramatic and architectural: a wide, shallowly flared upper basin woven in a tight herringbone pattern transitions through a firm bamboo-wrapped collar into a tall, gently tapered lower body worked in an open diamond lattice weave. The body is further reinforced and framed by a series of vertical bamboo ribs that extend outward to form elegant splayed legs at the base -- a structural solution that is as beautiful as it is functional. A separate removable bamboo tube insert, visible in the detail images, would have held water or a kenzan (flower frog) to support cut stems. A maker's inscription is visible on the base struts, and the piece retains its original wooden storage box, confirming its collector-grade provenance. The entire surface is finished in a deep, warm reddish-brown lacquer that unifies the two distinct weave patterns and gives the piece its striking, sculptural presence. This is a prime example of handcrafted Japanese ikebana ware at its finest.

In a modern home, this hanakago makes an immediate statement as a living room accent or entryway focal point -- simply display it upright on a console, low table, or the floor with a single seasonal branch or dried botanical arrangement placed in the inner basin. Its tall, open-lattice silhouette also suits a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior beautifully, where the interplay of shadow through the open weave adds depth and warmth to any corner. Alternatively, use the basket as a striking decorative accent on a covered outdoor porch or in a sunlit reading nook, allowing the rich reddish-brown tones to anchor a natural, organic decor scheme. This piece makes a truly unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques, ikebana practitioners, or anyone with a passion for extraordinary fiber arts.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Woven bamboo with lacquer finish; bamboo structural legs and rim reinforcement; removable bamboo tube insert
• Use: Ikebana flower basket (hanakago) -- used to display cut flower arrangements in the traditional Japanese style
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent with dried or fresh botanicals; Japandi-style floor display piece; unique gift for ikebana enthusiasts or Japanese antique collectors
• Features: Two-part construction -- wide herringbone-woven upper basin seated atop an open diamond-lattice lower body; bamboo rib legs with splayed feet; removable inner bamboo tube insert; maker's inscription on base struts; original wooden storage box included
• Dimensions: 9"W x9"D x 13"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and commanding piece of vintage Japanese bamboo craft -- this hanakago flower basket brings the timeless elegance of ikebana artistry into any modern living space.

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.