Antique Japanese Smoke Bamboo Basket with Wisteria Root Handle Meiji Period

This is a beautiful antique Japanese bamboo flower basket (ikebana) dated to the late 19th century, late Meiji Period. The basket was woven with smoked bamboo, also known as sooted bamboo (susutake in Japanese). The material was intentionally collected from kitchen in the old farmhouse, where years of cooking smoke resulted in the patinated surface that was much desired by some artists.
This basket, although we do not know the author, demonstrated a high degree of technical sophistication, which achieved a strong Mingei visual appeal. The handle of the basket was constructed from wisteria roots, selected for their twisted form and knobbed texture. The roots were also used to form a rim around the opening of the basket. This is a rather unusual feature not commonly seen in the ikebana making. The body of the basket showcases sections of four distinct weaving techniques. The upper body was executed in irregular plaiting, which forms loops that fasten onto the wisteria root rim. The lower portion transitions into a contrasting linear appearance from using bands of twining plating alternate with hemp leaf plating. The sections were further reinforced by vertical bamboo stripes in armor plaiting, which takes the role for structure support. The transition from the one technique to another is seamless, demanding a masterful workmanship. With the wisteria root handle, the ikebana basket exudes a fluid and harmonious appeal, straddled between formal and folky realm.