A Japanese wall hanging flower basket (kake hanaire) converted from an esakago, falconer's bait container. This rare form of basketry was woven to hold meat to encourage the raptor to return to the keeper (takajo) during hunting expeditions. The boldly woven basket would have hung from the keeper's belt. Takagari, hunting with a hawk, prohibited to commoners, was a popular pastime amongst the aristocrats and Shogunate during the Edo period. The falcon because of this noble association and the falcon’s strength is a common symbol of strength and military prowess. For a similar example see Mingei: Two Centuries of Japanese Folk Art, The Japanese Folk Craft Museum, 1995. Meiji Period (1868-1912) 10½” high
