Japanese Handwoven Basket, Kago, Japan, 20th Century

Beautifully handwoven basket from Japan, crafted with natural fibers in a traditional technique. Each piece demonstrates the refined balance of utility and simplicity characteristic ...

Beautifully handwoven basket from Japan, crafted with natural fibers in a traditional technique. Each piece demonstrates the refined balance of utility and simplicity characteristic ...

A refined example of Japanese bamboo craftsmanship, this handwoven basket features a gently rounded body and arched handle, showcasing a rhythmic open-weave pattern. Likely used for ...

An exceptional example of Yanagi Gori — a traditional Japanese storage chest woven from koriyanagi (a type of supple willow). Produced in the early 20th century, this handcrafted box...

This woven tray basket was originally used for harvesting grains or in a kitchen for food prep and storage. Despite its humble origin, the basket exhibits remarkable workmanship, bea...

This woven tray basket was originally used for harvesting grains or as a kitchen vessel for food prep and storage. Despite its humble origin, the basket exhibits remarkable workmansh...

Vintage split bamboo hexagonal weave market basket. The split bamboo is framed by a circular shaped bamboo cane lashed with split bamboo to the basket weave. Japan, 20th century.

A large and impressive Japanese basket in the form of a morikago by Maeda Chikubosai I (1872-1950) circa first half of the 20th century. Chikubosai I was from the Kansai Region and active in Sakai, Osaka prefecture. He was instructed by Wada Waichisai I, (1851-1901). Morikago is a shallow open basket with handle. It was traditionally used to display fruits, sometimes flowers, during Sencha tea ceremony. In contrast to Chanoyu, Sencha ceremony uses loose green tea leaves instead of tea powder. The placement of loose fruits in the basket meant that the pattern of the bottom, which is often elaborate, was meant to be visible. This morikago was beautifully constructed with bent bamboo frame and twill plaits for the body. The bottom of the basket features a double diamond pattern achieved with a variation of plover plait. The bifurcated handles was bundle-plated with a rather free spirit approach. They show a poetic suggestion of movement, as if the bamboos were still swaying in the wind. The basket has a copper insert that fits perfectly and it is quite possibly the original. The basket is signed on the base "Chikubosai". The style of the signature shows that it was made by Maeda Chikubosai I. For another Morikago basket by Maeda Chikubosai I, see page 79 of "Masters of Bamboo" by Rinne. For the study of the signature of Chikubosai I "Baskets Master Pieces of Japanese Bamboo Art...