Morikago or basket tray for seasonal fruit or leaves, in a deep bowl-like form. Woven of split honey-toned bamboo. Signed on the reverse with an inscribed signature by the artist: Shokan Saku or Made by Shokan (Yanagishita Shokan, one of the go or art names of Yanagishita Hiroshi, who now uses the go Yanagishita Shoho, born 1930). Showa era, circa 1970 – 1980.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the interior of the lid: Morikago or Basket Tray for Fruit, and then signed: Shokan Saku or Made by Shokan, and sealed: Shokan.

Shokan double wove the inner and outer walls of the basket, using a lozenge weave on the interior and a mat plaiting (gozame-ami) on the exterior. The bamboo on the interior has had the satin skin removed, while that on the exterior walls and base retains its surface. A light application of gray, ash-toned pigment has been worked into the interstices of plaiting, highlighting the textural quality of the weaving. Both the rim and foot-ring are wrapped with sections of smoked bamboo, bound with very finely split bamboo in insect wrapping (mushi-maki). Dramatically bundling the interior stays onto their sides, he sweeps them in high relief into a wave-like central plaiting. The base is woven in a version of lozenge weave altered into rippling lines.

Born in Tochigi Prefecture, Yanagishita Shokan studied under Yagisawa Sokan in 1955. He first exhibited at the Nihon Dento Kogeiten in 1967, winning the Asahi Shinbunsha Prize that year. Thereafter he returned frequently as an exhibitor at that venue, becoming a full member of the Nihon Dento Kogeikai in 1968. In 1971 he won the Encouragement Prize at the exhibition, and became a judge for the show from 1972.

For another example of his work, c.f. The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo catalogue Modern Bamboo Craft, page 46, number 96.