Maeda Chikubōsai (1872 - 1950)

From the Kansai area, Maeda Chikubōsai I was one of the most distinguished and important bamboo artists of the early twentieth century. He worked with Tanabe Chikuunsai I (1877 - 1937) from around 1912, making baskets for the export market. His early production included ‘Chinese style’ karamono baskets but he later began to experiment with bamboo roots to create a more rustic feel to his pieces, with a focus on individual expression. His access to a good supply of susudake (smoked bamboo) meant that this darker, patinated bamboo was often a feature of his work. Many of his creations were presented to the Emperor and the imperial family. His works are also in the collections of numerous Western institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis; and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis.