Vintage Japanese Stone Figurine, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-672 (26M-672-2)

Japanese Kame Stone Turtle Figurine | Garden Sculpture & Living Room Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-672-2

A hand-carved stone kame figurine, bearing the weathered grace of decades spent in a traditional Japanese garden.

A kame (turtle) figurine is a traditional Japanese garden ornament deeply rooted in the symbolism of longevity, good fortune, and steadfast protection. In Japanese culture, the turtle is one of the most auspicious creatures -- alongside the crane -- and stone carvings of kame were commonly placed in residential gardens, at the edges of koi ponds, and along garden pathways to invite blessings into the home. This handcrafted Japanese stone sculpture dates to the Mid Showa period and is carved from a dense natural stone, likely a local granite or similar hard stone, with a two-tone surface: a pale, speckled grey-white head and neck contrasting against a richly darkened domed shell. The carapace is incised with a bold geometric pattern of raised panels and cross-hatched scutes, while the skin of the neck and legs is rendered with fine cross-hatching that lends the piece a convincingly naturalistic texture. The upward-tilting head gives the figure a lively, alert quality that is characteristic of skilled Mid Showa craft stonework.

Today this vintage Japanese stone figurine is as versatile as it is beautiful. Place it in a zen garden or alongside a tsubo-niwa courtyard planting for an instantly authentic Japanese garden accent -- it is equally at home among moss, gravel, and low ferns. Indoors, it makes a compelling living room accent on a low shelf or console, perfectly suited to a wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi style interior. Its compact, sculptural form also makes it a memorable housewarming gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate genuinely aged Japanese antique pieces with natural patina and cultural depth.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Carved natural stone, likely granite or similar hard stone; two-tone surface with pale speckled head and darkened shell
• Use: Traditional Japanese garden ornament; symbol of longevity and good fortune placed in residential gardens and near water features
• Modern Use: Japanese garden sculpture or zen garden accent; living room or entryway decorative accent in a wabi-sabi or Japandi style interior; unique housewarming gift for collectors
• Features: Hand-carved in the round; upward-angled head with naturalistic expression; domed shell with incised geometric panel and scute pattern; cross-hatched skin texture on neck and legs; authentic aged patina with moss and mineral weathering throughout
• Dimensions: 6 1/2" x 10 1/2"D x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent -- natural weathering and aged patina consistent with outdoor garden use; no chips or breaks

A timeless piece of Japanese antique garden sculpture, carrying centuries of symbolic meaning and the quiet beauty of wabi-sabi into any modern home or 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.