Despite requiring decades of mastery -- and being steeped in centuries of tradition -- the craft of basket making had been passed between generations and was not always considered an elite art.
Despite requiring decades of mastery -- and being steeped in centuries of tradition -- the craft of basket making had been passed between generations and was not always considered an elite art.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the more than 70 bamboo works on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's current exhibition "Japanese Bamboo Art: The Abbey Collection."
One of the more than 70 bamboo works on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's current exhibition "Japanese Bamboo Art: The Abbey Collection."
Minoura Chikuhō
Many of the items in The Met's exhibition, including this one, have been designed as flower baskets.
Many of the items in The Met's exhibition, including this one, have been designed as flower baskets.
Minoura Chikuhō
Before becoming a exhibiting artist, Kogyoku used to create practical baskets for wholesalers in postwar Japan.
Before becoming a exhibiting artist, Kogyoku used to create practical baskets for wholesalers in postwar Japan.
TAI Modern
A basket dating back to the latter half of the 19th century, a time when bamboo weaving was beginning to be seen as an art in its own right.
A basket dating back to the latter half of the 19th century, a time when bamboo weaving was beginning to be seen as an art in its own right.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
While some Japanese basket art relies on symmetry, contemporary artists have also explored the sculptural qualities of bamboo.
While some Japanese basket art relies on symmetry, contemporary artists have also explored the sculptural qualities of bamboo.
TAI Modern
There are believed to be fewer than 50 full-time professional bamboo artists making original works in Japan today.
There are believed to be fewer than 50 full-time professional bamboo artists making original works in Japan today.
TAI Modern
Like many basket weavers, Hayakawa Shokosai III comes from a dynasty of artisans. His father, Shokosai I, was also a pioneer of bamboo art.
Like many basket weavers, Hayakawa Shokosai III comes from a dynasty of artisans. His father, Shokosai I, was also a pioneer of bamboo art.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Mastering the art of bamboo baskets involves not only weaving the material, but harvesting, processing, dyeing and splicing it.
Mastering the art of bamboo baskets involves not only weaving the material, but harvesting, processing, dyeing and splicing it.
TAI Modern
Noboru Fujinuma is one of only two living masters to have been named a "Living National Treasure" -- a government accolade recognizing cultural figures who help preserve Japan's ancient traditions.
Noboru Fujinuma is one of only two living masters to have been named a "Living National Treasure" -- a government accolade recognizing cultural figures who help preserve Japan's ancient traditions.
TAI Modern
Fujinuma claims that his work is more appreciated in overseas markets than in Japan. But he hopes that foreign interest can help bolster the art's standing and popularity in his home country.
Fujinuma claims that his work is more appreciated in overseas markets than in Japan. But he hopes that foreign interest can help bolster the art's standing and popularity in his home country.
Noboru Fujinuma
Western interest in bamboo baskets has, since the 1980s, provided Japanese artists with a new market for their work.
Western interest in bamboo baskets has, since the 1980s, provided Japanese artists with a new market for their work.
TAI Modern
A sculptural piece made from smoked dwarf bamboo, dyed timber bamboo and rattan, a type of palm.
A sculptural piece made from smoked dwarf bamboo, dyed timber bamboo and rattan, a type of palm.
Honma Kazuaki
"I think of (bamboo art) as this kind of sculpture -- even when it takes the form of something that could be functional," said director of TAI Modern, Margo Thoma. "Whether or not you use them, they are work of arts."
"I think of (bamboo art) as this kind of sculpture -- even when it takes the form of something that could be functional," said director of TAI Modern, Margo Thoma. "Whether or not you use them, they are work of arts."
TAI Modern
A twisted basket from the collection held by TAI Modern, a New Mexico gallery specializing in Japanese bamboo art.
A twisted basket from the collection held by TAI Modern, a New Mexico gallery specializing in Japanese bamboo art.
TAI Modern
Bamboo artists still draw on the the practical items that the tradition once yielded -- kitchen utensils, baskets and boxes.
Bamboo artists still draw on the the practical items that the tradition once yielded -- kitchen utensils, baskets and boxes.
Maeda Chikubosai II
Some contemporary artists have taken bamboo art away from its utilitarian roots and toward something more abstract and sculptural.
Some contemporary artists have taken bamboo art away from its utilitarian roots and toward something more abstract and sculptural.
Torii Ippo
Yamaguchi Ryuun learned bamboo art as an apprentice of Shono Shounsai, a craftsman named as one of Japan's "Living National Treasures" in 1967.
Yamaguchi Ryuun learned bamboo art as an apprentice of Shono Shounsai, a craftsman named as one of Japan's "Living National Treasures" in 1967.
Yamaguchi Ryuun
Japanese artist Fujitsuka Shosei works on bamboo basket in his studio
Japanese artist Fujitsuka Shosei works on bamboo basket in his studio
TAI Modern