146 - † HONMA KAZUAKI: AN UNUSUAL BAMBOO ‘SEMI-KAGO (CICADA)’ KAKEHANAIKE (WALL FLOWER BASKET)

† HONMA KAZUAKI: AN UNUSUAL BAMBOO ‘SEMI-KAGO (CICADA)’ KAKEHANAIKE (WALL FLOWER BASKET) By Honma Kazuaki (1930-2017), signed Kazuaki Japan, early 21 st century, Heisei period (1989-2019) In the form of a cicada, tightly woven from split susudake (smoked bamboo) in a sculptural manner, the central body is worked in broad diagonal plaiting to form a compact, faceted sheath tapering toward the lower end, while long split bamboo strips curve downward in symmetrical sweeping arcs to either side, each terminating in neatly folded and bound tips. The upper opening is framed by thick bundled bamboo, tightly wrapped and knotted to form a substantial rim. The reverse is fitted with a loop for mounting and two slender wooden supports, one signed KAZUAKI. WIDTH 16.5 cm, HEIGHT 23.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. With a wood tomobako (storage box) inscribed Kakehanaike, Semi-kago, 掛花生、蝉籃 [Hanging flower container, cicada basket], and signed Kazuaki, 一秋, with a seal. Honma Kazuaki (1930-2017) was one of the leading postwar Japanese bamboo artists associated with Niigata Prefecture. Born on Sado Island and later active in Niigata, he studied during the 1950s under the Tokyo-based bamboo artist Hayashi Shogetsusai (1911-1986), who specialized in bent-bamboo work. Honma subsequently developed a highly individual sculptural language centered on the expressive possibilities of bent and smoked bamboo, becoming particularly renowned for large-scale abstract compositions. From 1965 onward, he exhibited regularly at the Japanese Modern Craft and Art Exhibitions and the Nitten. His works are represented in major collections, including the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (object number 2019.424.12). Literature comparison: For a larger hanging work by the same artist, compare Sakasama-no (Contrary), c. 2000-2005, 48 x 46 x 46 cm, illustrated in Philippe Boudin (2018), The Beauty of Japanese Bamboo Art, Mingei Gallery, cat. no. 58. Museum comparison: For comparison with the artist’s larger sculptural works, see Origin VI, in bamboo and rattan, dated 2001, 59.7 x 40 x 17.8 cm, at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, object number 2006.3.883. 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.