Property of various owners MAEDA CHIKUBŌSAI II (1917−2003)A Handled Bamboo Flower Basket Showa era (1926-1989), circa 1960-1990 Of susudake (smoked bamboo) and rattan, the square base worked in mat-plaiting with twining and knotting, the upper section finished in vertical free-style parallel plaiting, wrapped and knotted at the rim, the handle a single length of bent bamboo, signed on the underside Chikubōsai zō , with a cylindrical lacquered bamboo otoshi (water container) 17 5/8in (44.8cm) high, including handle A native of Sakai City, Osaka, Chikubōsai II studied under his father, Chikubōsai I, and Yamamoto Chikuryōsai I (Shōen), bing an independent artist in 1941 and succeeding to the Chikubōsai name in 1950. He was named a Living National Treasure in 1995.