Antique Bamboo Backpack Basket – Woven Oiko Carrying Vessel

A classic oiko or seoi-kago (backpack basket), traditionally used in rural mountain villages for foraging, agricultural harvesting, or carrying firewood. Dating to the Taisho to early Showa era (circa 1920s–1950s), this robust, flat-backed utility vessel features its rare, original hand-woven textile shoulder straps, presenting an incredibly evocative example of authentic backcountry folk art (Mingei).

Age: Early 20C

Materials
Hand-woven from durable, thick-split bamboo using a tight, alternating horizontal striping pattern that creates a beautiful structural rhythm across the body. The flat rear panel is structurally reinforced with a heavy-duty wooden frame base to sit flush against the back. It retains its highly collectible, original thick shoulder straps - expertly hand-braided from repurposed vintage indigo and madder-dyed cotton rags utilizing the traditional sakiori (rag-weaving) technique. The entire basket is bound by a massive, spiral-twisted bamboo rim and original hemp cords.

Dimensions
HEIGHT: 42CM
DIAMETER: 31.5CM
OPENING DIAMETER: 27.5CM 

Condition & Antique Character
As an antique object, this piece has lived a previous life and shows signs of age and use. Fraying and fading to the textile straps, natural splitting in the bamboo elements, missing or broken strands from structural wear, and localized weathering/darkening are to be expected. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.