Ikebana Basket : Hanakago

Kago, or baskets, encompass a wide variety of designs and uses in Japanese culture. Refined ikebana baskets for flowers or more utilitarian sieves, winnowers, and strainers: all represent a wealth of bamboo craftsmanship. The use of bamboo in the construction of baskets has much to do with its accessibility. Bamboo sprouts each year and takes about a year to grow to full size so that, within the space of a couple of years, bamboo is ready for use. The essential beauty of bamboo is accompanied by superior qualities of strength and resilience.

Bamboo Hanakago(flower basket)
B-0232
19th century basket. 13.5"H x 8"diam
$1,600.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Bamboo flower Basket
B-0233
Hanging flower basket signed by Gengensai(1891-1950). Bamboo rope plaiting and hexagonal plaiting(variant).Interior has a frame for holding otoshi(water vase). Size: 17.5"H(6.5"H body) x 9"Diam SOLD
$3,200.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Bamboo flower basket
B-0276
Signed by Kounsai, 19th C, made of smoked bamboo, compound lozenge plaiting. Size: 14"H x 9"Diam
$1,400.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Bamboo Flower Basket
B-0277
Signed by Shukousai. Smoked bamboo. Original otoshi (interior bamboo vase) with gold leaf. Size:24"H x 9"Diam
$2,900.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Bamboo Bento Basket
B-0290
Bento basket (lunch box), 19th century. Twill plating technique. Original lining and original silk cord. Size: 7" x 4.25" x 3" SOLD
$700.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Bamboo flower basket
B-0302
Made from smoked bamboo, chrysanthemum base plaiting. Size: 14"H x 8"Diam
$1,600.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Because of the nature of Japan's steep mountain enviromment, the human body represented the principal means of transporting goods. Baskets had to be made, therefore, to conform to the shape of various parts of the body. There were baskets borne on the back, strapped to the waist, balanced on the head, and carried by hand. Each basket required a different shape, size and weave. The beauty, versatility, light weight, and suppleness of bamboo as a material for creating baskets remains unsurpassed.