Lot 115 A JAPANESE IKEBANA BASKET BY CHIKUBOSAI II, LATE 20TH CENTURY

Refined woven susutake 煤竹 (‘smoked bamboo’) ikebana basket 花籠 (hanakago) by the Nitten artist Maeda Chikubosai II 二代前田竹房斎 (1934-2018), of traditional elegant baluster shape with a large, curved loop handle. The neck densely plaited, and the rotund body loosely. The loop handle is a bit lighter of colour, and fastened intricately to a pair of ears at the side.
Signed to one side of the handle ‘Chikubosai kore saku’ (This is made by Chikubosai).
Japan – Mid-/Late 20th century (Mid-/Late-Shôwa period).
Height 57.5 cm, diameter 21.5 cm.

In a very good original condition with minimal signs of age. Please have a look at the photos for a condition reference.

Maeda Chikubosai II was born in the Hirai section of Sakai, where all of the Maeda clan lives. A late child, he was considered too young to be trained by his father and learned plaiting techniques from his father’s students instead. He began to receive some recognition for his work during the mid-1930s. After World War II, he showed in Osaka-area exhibitions and aspired to show creative work in Nitten. In 1953 he had his first piece accepted in Nitten, and he exhibited in 1959 at Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. He was honoured by the Japanese government in 1992 and named ‘Living National Treasure’ in bamboo craft in 1995.