I believe that this is Japanese and of the Meiji period, I have never owned one before so I am unfamiliar, I have seen items of this quality in the high auction house or in museums, they are pretty rare, this dose have a little damage, one the mice had its tail glued back on other than that it is is excellent shape, there is about 5 mice in side the basket, this is of high quality porcelain and the detail is unmatched.
Here is another set of photo's, the size is 12.7 cm tall and 16.5 long.
Here is the last set of photo's to view, thank for opinion, it is mush appreciated.
Never seen such an item. But it is not a basket. This is rice straw wrapping that was common in rice producing countries. Porcelain was also wrapped in a similar manner for transport. In Japan some sake barrels may still be wrapped in this manner.
Thanks again Peter, this is unmarked, I wonder if this could be Hirado, it is the closest thing I could find in my books.