Antique Japanese Vase, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-051-2

Japanese Tokkuri Ikebana Vase | Antique Flower Vase & Living Room Accent, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-051-2

A hand-painted blue-and-white pottery vessel with bold brushwork -- a quiet expression of the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

A tokkuri is a traditional Japanese ceramic bottle, most commonly associated with sake service, but vessels of this distinctive globular form with a tall narrow neck were also widely used as ikebana flower vases and decorative display pieces throughout the Early Showa period. This handcrafted Japanese antique pottery piece features a generous spherical body rising to a slender cylindrical neck with a slightly everted rim showing appealing age crazing. The off-white stoneware ground is decorated all around in cobalt blue underglaze with sweeping brushwork motifs -- bamboo fronds, loose scrolling vines, and lively abstract flourishes -- divided by a clean horizontal band near the lower body. A secondary frieze of mountain-and-circle motifs encircles the shoulder just below the neck, adding compositional depth. The painting is confident and gestural, in the free-hand tradition of folk kilns (mingei pottery), where spontaneous brushwork was prized over rigid precision. Fine iron-speckled firing marks and a network of subtle glaze crazing across the neck and body speak to its age and authenticity as a piece of vintage Japanese craft.

In a modern home, this striking antique vase is as versatile as it is beautiful. Its bottle silhouette and narrow neck make it ideal for displaying a single stem or a spare ikebana arrangement -- a natural fit for Japandi style interiors or minimalist decor. Placed on a mantelpiece, bookshelf, or dining table, it functions as a sculptural living room accent that draws the eye without overwhelming the space. It also works beautifully as bedroom decor on a nightstand or low shelf, lending a sense of calm and age-worn elegance. A thoughtful housewarming gift or a standout addition to any collection of Japanese antique pottery, this piece carries nearly a century of quiet beauty into the present.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Stoneware with cobalt blue underglaze decoration; off-white glaze ground with iron speckles and age crazing
• Use: Decorative vase or ikebana flower vessel; also used historically as a sake tokkuri
• Modern Use: Single-stem ikebana or dried flower display; living room or mantelpiece accent; housewarming gift for collectors and Japanophiles
• Features: Globular body with tall narrow neck; everted rim with crazing; painted bamboo fronds, scrolling vine motifs, and abstract brushwork in cobalt blue underglaze; horizontal banding near lower body; mountain-and-circle frieze at shoulder; gestural mingei-style brushwork; fine iron speckles throughout glaze
• Dimensions: 6" Diameter x 12"H
• Condition: Good antique condition -- age crazing on neck and rim consistent with era; minor surface patina; no chips or cracks noted on body

A beautifully aged piece of Japanese antique pottery that brings the quiet spirit of wabi-sabi and the art of ikebana into any modern home.

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.