Japanese Ikebana 'Flower Arranging Basket' by Teijo Sai

Wonderful profile with rounded square form on bottom rising to a trumpet shaped top. Very nice woven details on the corners of the basket and the handle. Made of smoked and polished ...

Japanese ceramic flower vase in basket weave form Signed on vase and storage box: Kuraku.

An important Japanese bamboo Ikebana basket by Yamamoto Chikuryosai I (also known as Chikuryusai I, Shoen after 1929) (1868-1945). Active in Osaka, Kansai region, he was advised by Wada Waichisai I. After 1929, he signed his work as Shoen (Shoen made this), such as this one. This basket was made using "sooted" bamboo (susutake in Japanese). This bamboo materials was collected from traditional thatched-roof houses that had been exposed to decades of smoke from a hearth or cooking fire, therefore the basket displays a deep rich patina that is hard to attain by color-lacquering. The basket featured a large rounded barrel form with handle. The body was constructed with a twill plaiting variation of a more relaxed and loose weave. It allows the light coming through to render the piece a lighter sense. Parallel plaiting was used to reinforce the body with stripes of bamboo, while adding more visual constrict to a free spirited background. Twisted bamboo strips form rope-like handle and the top rim. It is signed "Shoen Made This" on the base. Two-piece water container made from bamboo trunk is retained with the piece as shown. For the artists other and similar work, see baskets masterpieces of Japanese Bamboo Art...

Ikebana basket (hanakago) in wickerwork of polished bamboo with twisted handle. Features a sheet metal and varnished bamboo vase for the floral arrangement. Mark under the vase Nana...