Morikago or basket for the display of seasonal fruit or leaves in a shallow irregular ovoid form with an arching handle, woven of smoked dark purple-red split and branch bamboo. Signed on the reverse with an incised signature by the artist: Waichisai Tsukuru or Made by Waichisai (Wada Waichisai III, 1899 – 1975). Early Showa era, circa 1926 – 1940.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Morikago, Mei Hiki-fune or Fruit Basket, Titled: Rope Drawn Boat; and on the reverse of the lid inscribed with an address, and signed: Waichisai, and sealed: Waichisai (with the 3rd generation’s seal that includes three circles on the upper left).

Simple in appearance, this morikago is a sculptural masterpiece. Richly colored materials form a dramatic contrast of split and branch bamboo. By binding the sides of the boat with thick branch sections that bend at the nodes, Waichisai complements and strengthens the effect of the handle’s angular swoop and arc. In counterpoint an abstracted crazing of hemp leaf plaiting (asa-no-ha) forms the face of the basket, woven of double strands of split bamboo paired back to back so that both the top of the basket and the bottom show the glossy skin of the materials.

For another Waichisai tray form basket in similar technique, c.f. Japanese Bamboo Baskets: Masterworks of Form and Texture from the Collection of Lloyd Cotsen, number 115. The Cotsen piece is both large and made with beautiful materials, but it lacks the power of Hiki-fune. It is not a matter of scale, but of proportion and the balance of the handle with the form of the sides.