Flower Basket (Hanakago)
Japanese bamboo art in eastern Japan, the area surrounding Tokyo, underwent a process of modernization during the first half of the twentieth century. Several masters rose to fame through their participation in newly reorganized systems of domestic and international exhibitions and began producing “art baskets.” Iizuka Rōkansai spearheaded this movement, pioneering new directions for the field and elevating bamboo craft to an art form. Emphasizing artistic freedom and individuality, Rōkansai experimented with the possibilities of the medium and developed several new techniques.
Rōkansai, using a system formulated for describing calligraphy and painting, divided his oeuvre into three styles according to function and technique: shin (formal), gyō (semiformal), and sō (freestyle, or cursive). This tall, thin timber bamboo flower basket made with coarse weave is representative of the artist’s informal and more individualistic style.
Rōkansai, using a system formulated for describing calligraphy and painting, divided his oeuvre into three styles according to function and technique: shin (formal), gyō (semiformal), and sō (freestyle, or cursive). This tall, thin timber bamboo flower basket made with coarse weave is representative of the artist’s informal and more individualistic style.
Artwork Details
- 飯塚琅玕斎造 花籃
- Title: Flower Basket (Hanakago)
- Artist: Iizuka Rōkansai (Japanese, 1890–1958)
- Period: Shōwa period (1926–89)
- Date: ca. 1932
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Timber bamboo and rattan
- Dimensions: H. 40 11/16 in. (103.4 cm); Diam. 7 3/8 in. (18.8 cm)
- Classification: Bamboo
- Credit Line: Gift of Diane Abbey, 2019
- Object Number: 2019.425.9a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.