This graceful bamboo basket is an exceptional, early 20th century flower basket (hanakago) designed especially for ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement. Masterfully woven from thin strips of smoked bamboo (susutake), the basket is layered with several plaiting techniques for balanced silhouette and sophisticated texture. The basket has a square-to-round form with an underlying square weave (yotsume ami) interlaced with broader bamboo strips. Sculptural curves comprise the shoulder and rim, a form of bundled plaiting known as tabane-ami. The tall, arched handle is formed of hollowed bamboo and finished with a decorative wrapping of thin vines. Used to contrast and anchor delicate flowers, this ikebana basket is a beautiful example of a traditional Japanese art form. Minor breaks to underside.