Japanese basket makers capture the beauty of carefully selected natural materials in their constructions. These materials are intended to harmonize with the meticulously arranged formal floral compositions (ikebana) that will be placed within the finished basket. In traditional-style Japanese houses, flower arrangements in baskets may be placed in a recessed alcove, called the tokonoma. This is a space that evolved from what was originally an altar, the sacred center of the home. The basket and floral arrangement are used as key elements in setting the emotional tone of the household.
Flower basket
Japan
19th-20th century
Bamboo
Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Nancy and Richard Bloch. X2008.31.1
Flower basket
Japan
19th-20th century
Bamboo, tree root, rattan
H: 45.5 cm, W: 29.0 cm, D: 27.0 cm (H: 17.9 in, W: 11.4 in, D: 10.6 in)
Gift of Nancy and Richard Bloch. X87.171
Flower basket
Hanakago
Japan
19th-20th century
Bamboo and rattan
H: 51.2 cm, W: 18.0 cm, D: 18.0 cm (H: 20.2 in, W: 7.1 in, D: 7.1 in)
Gift of Nancy and Richard Bloch. X87.172
Flower basket
Japan
Bamboo, plant fiber
19th-20th century
W: 24.0 cm, H: 38.0 cm, D: 22.0 cm (W: 9.4 in, H: 14.9 in, D: 8.6 in)
Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Nancy and Richard Bloch. X87.181
Flower basket
Japan
Bamboo, plant fiber
19th-20th century
W: 34.0 cm, H: 33.0 cm, D: 20.0 cm (W: 13.3 in, H: 12.9 in, D: 7.8 in)
Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Nancy and Richard Bloch. X87.189
Flower basket
Japan
Bamboo, plant fiber
19th-20th century
H: 38.0 cm, W: 37.0 cm, D: 30.0 cm (H: 14.9 in, W: 14.5 in, D: 11.8 in)
Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Nancy and Richard Bloch. X87.206