Shimada Chikuhōsai III Bamboo Flower Basket 'Ryūko-kago', after Ittō's Taste

A standing tea-room flower basket in the waisted 'ryūko' (hand-drum) form favoured by Ittō, the 8th Urasenke grand master, woven by the Kyoto maker Shimada Chikuhōsai III.

Konomi forms, the shapes chosen by particular tea masters, are reproduced faithfully by specialist basket makers. The ryūko-kago narrows at the waist like the stand of a Japanese hand drum, which gives chabana a light, upright setting. Chikuhōsai's workshop takes each piece through every stage, from splitting the bamboo to weaving, dyeing and a wiped-lacquer (fuki-urushi) finish. A bamboo liner holds the water. Because every basket is woven by hand, sizes vary slightly.

Details

• Maker: Shimada Chikuhōsai III (三代 島田竹宝斎), Kyoto
• Form: 一燈好写 立鼓籠 (ryūko-kago, after Ittō's taste), standing type
• Material: bamboo, dyed and wipe-lacquered, with bamboo otoshi liner
• Size: approx. diameter 16.8 × H 28 cm
• Box: paper box
• Condition: new (the shop notes a lead time of about 3 weeks if out of stock)

Watch: the art of Japanese bamboo basketry

A digest from the Japan Kogei Association recording the bamboo-craft techniques of Living National Treasure Katsushiro Soho. (A general craft video — not this piece or maker.)

Please read before ordering

• Limited availability. We confirm availability with the dealer in Japan within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.
• Urushi lacquer is durable but dislikes direct sun and very dry air; care notes are included.