Tanabe Chikuunsai II (Ikkusai) - Basket - Bamboo - Freeform Openwork Weave
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 800 - € 1,000
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A large vintage freeform openwork bamboo flower basket (hanakago) from Japan by Tanabe Chikuunsai II, about 40 cm in outer diameter and 32 cm high, signed 田辺一竹斎 with a dark reddish-brown patina and signs of ageing, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
Item Description
This is a large woven bamboo flower basket (hanakago) created by Tanabe Chikuunsai II (田辺竹雲斎, 1910–2000), a celebrated bamboo artist from Sakai City, Osaka, and one of the most prominent names in Kansai-region bamboo art of the twentieth century. The basket is signed "田辺一竹斎" (Tanabe Ikkusai), the art name he adopted after passing the Chikuunsai title to his eldest son in 1991.
The piece showcases a dense, freeform openwork construction, with wide bamboo strips crossed and layered in an irregular, almost sculptural rhythm around a narrower, twisted rim. The dark reddish-brown patina of the bamboo, combined with the visible aging of the material, reflects the basket's age and long history of display or use as a flower container (hana-ire).
Tanabe Chikuunsai II exhibited widely at the Teiten, Shin-Bunten, and Nitten exhibitions, received the Tokusen and Asakura prizes at the Eighth Nitten in 1952, the Osaka Prefecture Arts Prize in 1959, and was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, by the Japanese government in 1981. His work is held in both public and private collections and has featured in international exhibitions of Japanese bamboo art.
This large-scale example, measuring approximately 40 cm in outer diameter and 32 cm in height, is a substantial and visually striking piece suitable for display as a decorative object or ikebana vessel.
Size
Height: 32 cm
Width: 40 cm (outer diameter)
Weight
977 g
Condition
The basket shows wear consistent with age, including surface scuffs, staining, some fraying of woven strips, and general soiling typical of a vintage bamboo work. The interior may show additional signs of wear or discoloration not fully visible in photographs. No structural repairs are noted, but buyers should review the images closely, as texture and fine detail are best judged visually.
Additional Information
Artist: Tanabe Chikuunsai II, also signed as Ichikusai
Origin: Japan
Material: Woven bamboo
Category: Traditional Japanese bamboo craft (flower basket, hanakago)
NOITICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.
Seller's Story
We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods.
Owner Profile
Name: Michito Nagahiro
Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life.
In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date.
In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support.
Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.
Item Description
This is a large woven bamboo flower basket (hanakago) created by Tanabe Chikuunsai II (田辺竹雲斎, 1910–2000), a celebrated bamboo artist from Sakai City, Osaka, and one of the most prominent names in Kansai-region bamboo art of the twentieth century. The basket is signed "田辺一竹斎" (Tanabe Ikkusai), the art name he adopted after passing the Chikuunsai title to his eldest son in 1991.
The piece showcases a dense, freeform openwork construction, with wide bamboo strips crossed and layered in an irregular, almost sculptural rhythm around a narrower, twisted rim. The dark reddish-brown patina of the bamboo, combined with the visible aging of the material, reflects the basket's age and long history of display or use as a flower container (hana-ire).
Tanabe Chikuunsai II exhibited widely at the Teiten, Shin-Bunten, and Nitten exhibitions, received the Tokusen and Asakura prizes at the Eighth Nitten in 1952, the Osaka Prefecture Arts Prize in 1959, and was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, by the Japanese government in 1981. His work is held in both public and private collections and has featured in international exhibitions of Japanese bamboo art.
This large-scale example, measuring approximately 40 cm in outer diameter and 32 cm in height, is a substantial and visually striking piece suitable for display as a decorative object or ikebana vessel.
Size
Height: 32 cm
Width: 40 cm (outer diameter)
Weight
977 g
Condition
The basket shows wear consistent with age, including surface scuffs, staining, some fraying of woven strips, and general soiling typical of a vintage bamboo work. The interior may show additional signs of wear or discoloration not fully visible in photographs. No structural repairs are noted, but buyers should review the images closely, as texture and fine detail are best judged visually.
Additional Information
Artist: Tanabe Chikuunsai II, also signed as Ichikusai
Origin: Japan
Material: Woven bamboo
Category: Traditional Japanese bamboo craft (flower basket, hanakago)
NOITICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.
Seller's Story
We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods.
Owner Profile
Name: Michito Nagahiro
Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life.
In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date.
In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support.
Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Freeform Openwork Weave
Number of objects
1
Country of origin
Japan
Material
Bamboo
Designer/artist/maker
Tanabe Chikuunsai II (Ikkusai)
Style
Vintage
Colour
Brown
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
Height
32 cm
Width
40 cm
Depth
40 cm
Estimated period
1900-2000
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