Rare Antique Japanese Natural Tree Trunk Ikebana Exhibition Container | Japanese Kiji-shi Hand-hewed Wood Sculpture

Dimensions: 24-0”h x 19-0”w x 12-0”d (45lbs)

This beautiful Ikebana Container was purchased in 1989 at a Nagoya Auction. The auction manager shared the body of this information on the Provenance of the piece and said it was supportive of the Freestyle Ikebana Movement around 1928-1930s. 

This absolutely unique hand-carved Ikebana Exhibition Vessel, (custom ordered by an Ikebana artist  and made for an Ikebana competition/exhibition), appreciated by specialists in this field of floral art, as they showcase their works to a wider audience. This three-dimensional trunk carving is made from a tall tree that was rescued after its falling incorporating the natural growth as found in the forests of Northern Japan. This beautiful trunk had the bark removed and now features the cambium which has been polished with clear wax,(Rosoku no ro), in an effort to retain the natural qualities and color of the wood. The interior of the container shows a rough hollowing out of the trunk which is left in its natural state. This practice of tree carving, “Jumoku no chōkoku”, (18th/19th/century), became an integral, organic part of a floral composition focusing on the key principles and aesthetics of this traditional art form. Clearly, in this particular case, floral containers such as this continue to inspire an ancient meditative practice; and serving as a botanical shrine to nature. The origins of Japanese flower arranging can be traced back to the introduction of Buddhism to Japan via the Silk Road between the 6th and 8th centuries. An early form of Ikebana involved offering flowers to Buddha, signifying a deep spiritual connection with nature, maintaining the 3 basic principles of representing nature through heaven, earth, and man. 

The container celebrates minimalism and simplicity as nature provided in its design, including but not limited to, harmony and balance and the carver’s respect for nature. The container’s natural undulating form is beautifully characterized by its unique natural grain patterns and occasional dark markings which enhance the charm of the piece. The entire carving is affixed to a stand, (plinth base), that serves to display and elevates the object so as to separate it from the ordinary level, drawing attention to its importance focused on its aesthetic qualities. This offer does not include the Suiban, "water basin" to hold the flowers. And finally, it is important to understand how the carver had to provide a container that allowed the Ikebana designer to create an appropriate arrangement that demonstrated a deep understanding and application of Ikebana principles, showcasing artistic skill through the use of shape, line, form, and space. NOTE: Sold only to US Domestic buyers. The packing/shipping quote shown at checkout is only an estimate and will need to be confirmed and/or adjusted upon purchase. Feel free to communicate with us about any questions you may have.

In summation, Noblemen and Samurai, (both men and women), incorporated Ikebana in their traditional residences which allow them to appreciate nature and flower arranging in their daily lives. Containers and arrangement were made to be large to be place on the floor in the central main room, (shoin-zukuri), as we'll as in Tokonoma made for gathering and conversing while sitting on soft tatami mats in traditional Japanese-style rooms. This enabled the family to bring nature from the garden into the home as part of their everyday lifestyle. Later, Daiyo, Shoguns, and Feudal Lords gave groups of artists called doboshu, responsibility for flower-arranging aesthetics and techniques celebrated in the Ikebana art form and became available to all classes of citizens. 

Condition: Excellent; meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship, details, and finish, showing a deeply-developed patina without chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration. The piece retains the natural formations, knobby growth, and intricate grain patterns the carver intended to be celebrated.