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 Flower Basket with Box
B-0364
Bamboo basket in a classic form, woven of black, red honey and brown bamboo and bamboo husk. With original signed box. 19th century. 9"diam x 14 1/2" high including handle.
$2,500.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Hanging Wall Basket
B-0365
Signed "Rikken" Fish trap shaped wall basket with signed box. Showa Era. 14" l x 3.5"
$1,550.00 Add to Cart View Cart

Bent Bamboo Small Basket
B-0370
Small bent bamboo flower basket with bamboo root handle. 8"tall x 2.75" w x 2.5"d
$55.00 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.