Hayakawa Shōkosai III 三代 早川尚古斎 (1864-1922)

Crafted by the renowned bamboo artist Hayakawa Shōkosai III, this exquisite tall, oval-shaped flower basket showcases the perfect balance between precision craftsmanship and natural elegance. The vessel rests on a delicately woven chrysanthemum-patterned base, while its mat-style walls are constructed with masterful care, forming a perfectly even, egg-shaped silhouette. The combination of finely split bamboo stripes and an openwork pattern gives the basket a sense of intricate sophistication, culminating in a beautifully organic mouth, circled by intertwined, untreated bamboo stems. A carefully designed handle, composed of three natural bamboo stems, intertwines gracefully, enhancing the natural flow of the piece.

While inspired by the traditional Chinese model of bamboo basketry, Shōkosai III introduced significant Japanese elements, notably the use of natural bamboo, giving the piece an informal yet refined charm that distinctly sets it apart.

The Hayakawa family stands as the founding lineage of modern bamboo art in Japan, with Hayakawa Shōkosai I(1815-1897) recognized as the first artist to sign his works in 1856. Following the untimely passing of Shōkosai II, Shōkosai III assumed leadership of the family workshop in 1905. He is widely regarded for revolutionizing the art form by further expanding bamboo's expressive potential, moving beyond the boundaries of Chinese tradition. According to experts like Joe Earle, Shōkosai III's flexible and organic approach "expanded the expressive possibilities of bamboo, departing much further from Chinese models than his father." His innovative vision had a lasting impact on the evolution of Japanese bamboo artistry, influencing generations of artisans.

This remarkable piece is signed underneath with "Sansei Shōkosai tsukuru" (Made by Shōkosai III) and is dated Autumn 1912 inside the lid of its original presentation box. It is an exceptional example of the fusion between tradition and innovation that characterizes the Hayakawa family's legacy.

For a deeper exploration of this celebrated family and the broader field of Japanese bamboo art, refer to Joe Earle's insightful work Baskets: Masterpieces of Japanese Bamboo Art 1850-2015 (John Adamson Dist A/C, 2018).

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