Early Japanese Bamboo Flower Basket Hahakago by Monden Kogyoku Original Box

This is a finely woven Japanese bamboo flower basket (Hanakago) constructed in a classic Chinese form derived from the shape of porcelain vase known as "HaiTangZun" (Begonia Vase). Made by Monden Kogyoku (1916-2021), it was from his earlier work. Known as karamono (objects in Chinese style), the basket features a baluster body, a concave neck opening to an everted wide rim, handles on the sides with hanging rings, and a slightly flaring foot. This particular form became popular during the reign of Qing emperor Yongzheng (1723–1735 AD).
Although the basket was inspired by the Chinese form, its construction was entirely Japanese using a wide range of plating techniques including Pine Needle Plaiting, variations of Matt Plaiting, and Plover Plaiting. They seamlessly transition throughout the body surface forming different sections. Particular details such as braiding and coining were placed on the handles with two lateral ridge enforcements woven into the body. The rendering of the foot ring support used bamboo stripes is particularly creative in this piece. The mouth rim was finished in tight Kumi (parallel construction). The basket was a demonstration of a superb craftmanship and most certainly made in the early part of the artist's career as a homage to the traditional basket weaving, before his work became more abstract and sculptural toward the end of his life. The basket was signed on the base "Made by Kogyoku". It comes with its original wood storage box which is signed and titled "Hahakago" under the lid as shown. The size of the tomobako is 16.25"h by 12" by 12".
Born in 1916 in Chugogu region, he began crafting bamboo in 1933 under the guidance of Kadota Nikō. At age 21, he received the artistic pseudonym Kōgyoku, meaning "bamboo grove treasure". Kōgyoku became a prestigious full member of the Japan Art Crafts Association in 1991. His masterworks are held globally in major cultural institutions, including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York); San Francisco Asian Art Museum (San Francisco); Denver Art Museum (Denver); Mint Museum (Charlotte, NC); Museum of Texas Tech University (Lubbock).