Antique Japanese Water Basin - 1920s Taisho Era (25D-469)

Antique Japanese Water Basin (SKU 25D-469)

Hand-carved Taisho-era ishigaki water basin with charming frog motif

This substantial antique Japanese water basin, or tsukubai, is carved from a single block of natural stone with a softly rounded profile and deeply recessed well. The exterior bears a beautiful patina of age, with lichen, moss staining, and weathering that speak to decades in a traditional garden setting.

Perched on the rim is a sculpted frog (kaeru), a beloved symbol in Japanese gardens associated with safe returns and good fortune. The frog’s worn contours blend gently into the stone, creating a poetic scene of nature at rest beside still water—ideal for a tea garden, courtyard, or as a focal accent in a Japanese-inspired landscape.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Taisho period (1912–1926), circa 1920s
• Material: Hand-carved natural stone
• Use: Garden tsukubai water basin, meditative focal point, or sculptural outdoor feature
• Features: Rounded ring-form basin; integral carved frog motif; weathered stone surface with lichen and moss patina; classic antique Japanese garden element
• Dimensions: 18" Diameter x 11"H
• Condition: Excellent antique condition with age-appropriate surface wear and natural weathering

A characterful Taisho-era stone basin that brings authentic Japanese garden serenity and symbolism to any outdoor space.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.