145 - † IIZUKA SHOKANSAI (DESIGNATED LIVING NATIONAL TREASURE): A FINE BAMBOO HANAKAGO (FLOWER BASKET)

† IIZUKA SHOKANSAI (DESIGNATED LIVING NATIONAL TREASURE): A FINE BAMBOO HANAKAGO (FLOWER BASKET) By Iizuka Shokansai (1919–2004), signed Shokansai saku Japan, late 20 th century Of cylindrical form, well woven in a bold, freely interlaced construction, the broad strips crossing at irregular angles to create a dynamic lattice. The substantial circular rim is formed from tightly bundled and twisted bamboo. Surmounted by an arched handle composed of slender bundled bamboo elements, tightly wrapped and knotted at the apex. Signed underneath SHOKANSAI saku [made by Shokansai]. With a black-lacquered bamboo otoshi (water container). WIDTH 18.5 cm, HEIGHT 29 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear. Iizuka Shokansai (1919-2004) was one of the most important Japanese bamboo artists of the postwar period and the second son of the celebrated Iizuka Rokansai. Born in Tokyo, he initially studied oil painting at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts before turning to bamboo and training under his father, mastering both traditional plaiting techniques and Rokansai’s shin-gyo-so system of formal, semi-formal, and informal expression. Shokansai combined this rigorous technical foundation with a distinctly modern sensibility, producing both refined functional baskets and increasingly abstract sculptural works. From 1979 to 1981, he was employed by the Imperial Household Agency to catalogue and study the historic bamboo works preserved in the Shosoin and in 1982 he was designated a Living National Treasure for bamboo craft, only the second bamboo artist to receive this distinction. His works are held in major collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Crafts Museum, Japan. Museum comparison: Compare a related bamboo hanakago (flower basket), dated c. 1973, 30.2 cm high, in the National Crafts Museum, Kanazawa, collection ID no. Bm0040. Compare a related bamboo hanakago (flower basket), dated c. 1970s, 33.7 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 2019.424.15a, b. 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.