Large Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket Maeda Chikubosai I

An important woven bamboo ikebana basket circa first half of the 20th century (Taisho or Showa era) by Japanese bamboo master Maeda Chikubosai I (1872-1950). Chikubosai I was from the Kansai Region and active in Sakai, Osaka prefecture. He was instructed by Wada Waichisai I ((1851-1901). This tall tubular basket featuring a twined bamboo rhizome handle an slightly flared mouth rim was beautifully constructed with smoked bamboo stripes, woven in very fine twill plaiting. Wider bamboo stripes of contrasting lighter color were inserted vertically with irregular plaiting technique and reinforced with decorative twining. The rim and the base were finished in bundled circular plaiting with bent bamboo. Signed underneath in Kanji "Chikubosai made this".
This basket is a beauty. Its impressively large size, regal form, superb craftsmanship, an perfect balance of regular and free hand design, impeccable condition with deep and warm patina, all elevate this basket to a masterpiece.