Lot 1173: HONDA SHORYU (SYORYU, BORN 1951) A Bamboo Sculpture Heisei era (1989-), early 20th century

HONDA SHORYU (SYORYU, BORN 1951)
A Bamboo SculptureHeisei era (1989-), early 20th centuryOf stained and finely split madake and rattan, worked in twining technique (see below), signed Shoryu 14in (35.4cm) wide
Honda Shoryu (also spelled Syoryu) has virtually abandoned traditional ideas about the function of basketry acquired during his early training, choosing instead to create dramatic curvilinear sculptures from fine stained bamboo strips woven in nawame (twining) technique. Once a few rows of twining have been completed, he leaves the verticals exposed for several inches at both ends, uses hot water to soften the entire piece, and then kneads it into shape, pulling up some of the rows to form the gaps seen in the finished work. The free ends of the verticals are then plaited and secured with a binding of rattan.