K004 - Kago 籠

This Kago 籠 pattern is a bamboo basket weave.

• Material: Brass, silver-plated Ibushi finish
• Fuchi (縁) Dimensions: Length 40.5 mm, Width 23 mm, Height 12.5 mm
• Kashira (頭) Dimensions: Length 38 mm, Width 18 mm, Height 09 mm

Kago 籠 means a woven bamboo basket used by the Japanese for transport or storage.
This pattern is a symbol of protection against evil spirits, demons and the evil eye.
The kanji Kago 籠 is interesting because it is composed of the upper part, the bamboo (take 竹), and the lower part, the dragon (Tatsu 龍), symbolizing a dragon under the bamboo.
This kanji is used in the term Kote 籠手, the Japanese armor gauntlets, thus protecting the hands.