Japanese Bamboo Basket Ikebana by Yamashita Kochikusai

The flower basket (ikebana) on offer was finely woven circa 1920-1930s by Yamashita Kochikusai (1876-1947), one of the most celebrated bamboo artists in Japan. Constructed with bamboo lacquered in a deep rich red color, the basket was robustly woven in Hexagonal Plaiting technique with double-strand stripes. The open work is airy and slightly irregular, with a free-spirited Mingei flair. It has a strongly twined rim and base. Under the rim, a band of Pine Needle Plaiting created the transition from Hexagonal Plaiting seamlessly. The handle was constructed with three bent bamboo stalks with their natural branches and nodes preserved and incorporated into the design. It was attached to the body of the basket by elaborate knotting and braiding. Signed on the base "Kochikusai made this". Compared to the other two baskets we have made by the artist, which are more rigorous in perfect plaiting technique, this is a beautiful example of the artist's work with a contrasting free spirit. The ikebana comes with a later wood storage box as pictured (tomobako).
Yamashita Kochikusai (1876-1947) was a bamboo artist from Osaka, Kansai region. He apprenticed under Wada Waichisai I (1851-1901), becoming independent in 1901. His students include Ezono Chikubisai, Suzuki Gengensai and Inose Kohosai. He won prizes for his work at numbers of exhibitions and was patronized by the Imperial Household.
For a comparable basket with the nearly identical type of plaiting, see Object Number 2006.3.151 in the collection of Asian Art Museum San Francisco.