Antique Japanese Bamboo Flower Basket (Hanakago 花籠)

This antique Japanese flower basket (hanakago 花籠) is crafted in a tall, slender form with an upright handle, designed for refined ikebana arrangements. The basket features a regular twill weave (yokobiki-ami 横引き編み) that emphasizes simplicity and proportion, while the natural patina of the bamboo reveals decades of careful use.

The proportions — elongated body with a narrow mouth — suggest it was intended for single stems or minimal compositions, allowing the basket’s form to complement the flower arrangement. Its understated refinement is characteristic of Taishō–early Shōwa aesthetics, where practicality blended with quiet elegance.

In ikebana, tall and narrow baskets were often chosen for chabana (茶花), the informal flower displays used in the tea ceremony, reflecting the wabi-cha spirit of restrained beauty.

Bonus Note: The vertical silhouette embodies the principle of yohaku no bi (the beauty of empty space), where the unfilled space around the arrangement carries equal weight to the flowers themselves.

• SKU: A133

• Material: Bamboo

• Period: Taishō–early Shōwa era, c. 1920–1940

• Origin: Japan (possibly Kyushu)

• Features: Tall upright form, twill weave (yokobiki-ami), narrow mouth, upright handle

• Dimensions: W 14 × D 13 × H 41 cm (5.5 × 5.1 × 16.1 in)

• Condition: Good antique condition with natural patina; light wear consistent with age

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 clearan