Japanese Woven Kōri Storage Baskets, 1890s, Set of 5

Details

Description

This set of five antique Japanese baskets dates to the Meiji period and belongs to the type known in Japan … Read more This set of five antique Japanese baskets dates to the Meiji period and belongs to the type known in Japan as kōri: lightweight yet sturdy storage and transport baskets traditionally used for clothing, textiles, and everyday household items.

Dimensions: height 27.7 cm, width 50 cm, depth 32 cm. (largest basket)
Dimensions: height 11 cm, width 45 cm, depth 26 cm. (smallest basket)

They are made from tightly woven willow twigs (yanagi), finished with a bamboo rim. The corners and base are reinforced with black leather, giving the set a strong, well-structured feel.

Inside, traces of an indigo textile lining are still visible. One basket is additionally lined with paper featuring Japanese notes and calligraphy—an understated detail that makes the age and use of the set tangible.

Each basket features a gold-toned kamon on the front, a Japanese family crest historically used to indicate ownership or lineage. The motif here is the tachibana within a circle (maru ni tachibana), a stylised citrus blossom/fruit with a bold, graphic presence.

The baskets nest inside one another and are both decorative and practical today: a quiet, authentic set for storage, to use individually, or to display together in an open shelving unit.

As expected with age, they show clear signs of wear, which only adds to their natural, lived-in character. See less