Description

Antique Japanese ikebana flower basket. Made of hand split bamboo and cherry bark interwoven into a basket shape. Woven handle securely attaches to both sides. Great condition, Unsigned.

Kaba cherrybark woodcrafts (called Kaba zaiku in Japanese) are a type of wood bark craft produced in the former town of Kakunodate, Akita prefecture. While the character for kaba means birch, for this context the word refers to the bark of wild cherry trees. Within Japan, only Akita prefecture has passed down the knowledge of using Kaba cherrybark in woodwork so the craft is valued as a model craftwork of Japan.
The notable features of Kaba cherrybark are its durability, and ability to both retain and repel moisture. The sheen, subdued colors, and the natural beauty of the cherry bark patterns lend themselves to the basket very well.

Age: Late Meiji Period (1868 – 1912)

Dimensions: 12″ x 15 1/3″ high