Antique Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket (Hanakago)

This refined bamboo ikebana basket (花籠, hanakago) presents a graceful hourglass silhouette (tsutsugata) woven in open lattice. The form creates a light, elegant profile while remaining stable on its circular base.

At the center sits a copper insert designed to hold water, confirming the basket was made for active flower use rather than decoration alone. Both bamboo and metal show a warm, even patina developed over decades.

From late Meiji into Taishō, bamboo baskets with metal liners were favored in tea and ikebana settings for their balance of utility and quiet beauty—an expression of shibui restraint.

Bonus Note: The hourglass profile was prized for its visual balance and for naturally supporting upright stems, making it a favorite working form for arrangers.

• SKU: A137

• Material: Bamboo with copper insert

• Period: Meiji–Taishō (c. 1890–1920)

• Origin: Japan

• Features: Open-lattice weave; hourglass (tsutsugata) form; fitted copper water liner; warm patina

• Dimensions: W 9 × D 9 × H 23 cm (approx. 3.5 × 3.5 × 9.1 in)

• Condition: Very good antique condition; minor age-consistent wear to bamboo and metal

Free worldwide shipping to most destinations where rates are comparable to the EU, UK, and US.
For regions with higher costs, please contact us for a shipping quote. Secure, reinforced packaging.

Note: Import duties or taxes may apply depending on the regulations of the destination country. For items over 100 years old, many countries allow reduced or tax-free import. On request, we can provide a certificate of authenticity stating the item’s age to assist with customs clearance.