Suiban or tray style flower arranging container, in a low oval form with a natural, root-wood handle. Woven of split, smoked bamboo and stained, split rattan knotting. Signed on the reverse on a lighter-toned bamboo signature plaque by the artist: Hounsai (Torii Hounsai, active in Aichi Prefecture). Late Taisho – early Showa era, circa 1920 – 1940.

With a new, paulownia wood storage box.

Very little biographical information on Torii Hounsai exists. We know he worked in Aichi Prefecture, wove baskets and was the father of Torii Ippo (born 1930), whom he encouraged to follow in his footsteps. However, it is clear from this basket’s workmanship and weaving vocabulary that he was both accomplished and sensitive.

Hounsai pairs thin strands of lustrous, dark bamboo to plait the base in hemp leaf pattern (asa-no-ha). As he turns up the bottom edge, half of these form a diagonal band rising to the right while the rest of the stays bend to the left and emerge in a diagonal, openwork fencing in a variation on basic twill plaiting. The background stays he dims with dust or ash over thin lacquer in hokori-ire technique (which often employs a tonoko powder made from either ground stone or baked clay). This highlights the gleaming smoked bamboo running above and increases the textural movement of the sides.

At the shoulder he gathers six strands together. These stacks sweep sidewise and upwards to the left, with others fanning open and downwards above them. This treatment encircles the rim with wavelike movement. Capping this, repeating ropes (each formed from three twisting stays) reverse the direction to the right. Again changing direction, diagonal simple wrapping (bo-maki) binds the rim. From the narrow side of the rim rises a delicately twisting, piece of branching root-wood. Lines of insect wrapping (mushi-maki) and twisting ropes of simple wrapping anchor the handle to the rim. Polished to gleam in the light, the handle dances from rim to rim with musical movement.

An extraordinary example of the root-handled suiban basket, elegantly woven and in beautiful balance.