(Hanging lantern-shaped flower basket) Possibly 1931

This flower basket shaped like a hanging lantern was made by Ishida Chikubisai I, using bamboo as his medium. The piece feels like a conversation between control and letting go. It’s like the artist is saying, "I'm in charge, but nature has a say too." The rich, varied textures of the bamboo are really remarkable. Smooth poles anchor the structure, while thinner strands curl and loop creating airy gaps and shadows. I am drawn to the winding details at the top, they look almost scribbled. I can just imagine the artist's hands, coaxing the bamboo, bending it to their will, but also surrendering to its nature. Think about the playful sculptures of Alexander Calder, how he balances form and space. Like Calder, Chikubisai achieves a sense of lightness that makes you smile. Ultimately, art is about this kind of playful exchange, not a fixed idea, but an ongoing conversation.