Japanese Woven Bamboo Ikebana Basket

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A Japanese woven bamboo basket with handle from early 20th century, circa end of Meiji to Taisho period. The basket … Read more A Japanese woven bamboo basket with handle from early 20th century, circa end of Meiji to Taisho period. The basket was constructed in the form of a morikago. a shallow and open basket with handle. Traditionally, a morikago was used to display fruits, and sometimes flowers during Sencha tea ceremony. In contrast to Chanoyu, Sencha ceremony uses loose green tea leaves instead of tea powder. A morikago tends to have a nice pattern on the bottom that was meant to be visible through the display of fruits or flowers.
The basket has a lovely form that reminds one the shape of a monk's alms bowl but only more shallow. It was constructed with twill plaiting with openings that allow the light through, which makes the basket appear light. The tall handles were converged from four prongs from the rims and were tied together with swirling knots The bottom of the basket features a diamond pattern. There is a groove around the base ring that was artistically created to give the basket its distinctive bowl shape and volume viewing from the side. The work is not signed, but its harmonious proportion and meticulous execution shows off a high level of artistry. See less