Intersections

Capturing Beauty

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.