Antique bamboo winnowing basket

A "winnowing basket" is a farming tool that has been used since ancient times to sift grains and collect the harvest.

Although they were originally practical tools, they have come to be used in the tea ceremony as confectionery or flower vases, symbolizing the season of abundance.

Many winnowing baskets used for confectionery are painted on the inside with lacquer, making them both practical for serving sweets and beautiful to look at, but this winnowing basket has a rustic, powerful style that sets it apart from those that were originally made as tea ceremony utensils.

This piece is woven in a basket weave using bamboo horizontally and vine-like wood fibers vertically. Over time, the bamboo has turned a beautiful amber color. By combining materials with different textures and luster vertically and horizontally, a rich variety of textures are created, making it an interesting piece.

The label on the box reads, "Ancient Bamboo Winnowing Box for Fukiyose." It must have been used with care by someone with a keen eye for connoisseurs.

There are some places where the bark has peeled off, especially around the U-shaped bent parts, but overall it has a glossy, beautiful appearance that has aged well.

It can also be used as a flower vase, and it looks wonderful when you arrange seasonal flowers such as pampas grass, wild chrysanthemums, and laurel leaves in it, just like a winding bud.

Even though it is only a short season, it will bring out the autumn atmosphere to the fullest in a variety of situations.