Vintage Japanese Ikebana Vase, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-054

Japanese Ikebana Vase Stoneware Pottery | Flower Arranging Vessel & Living Room Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-054

A boldly sculpted Mid Showa stoneware vase with sgraffito botanicals, signed and boxed -- a rare find for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

An ikebana vase is a vessel purpose-made for ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, in which the shape, weight, and surface of the container are considered as expressive as the blooms themselves. This generously rounded, near-spherical form -- known in ceramic terms as a tama-gata (ball shape) -- sits on a modest foot ring and rises to a narrow, darkened neck, creating the low center of gravity that ikebana masters prize for sculptural, minimal arrangements. The outer surface is fired in a rich iron-brown stoneware glaze that shifts from warm chestnut to deep olive-green around the shoulder, a characteristic of natural ash and iron-bearing glazes favored in mid-century Japanese studio pottery. Across the entire body, the artist has drawn sweeping sgraffito lines through the unfired glaze -- incising arcing stems, broad leaf forms, and delicate flower heads that glow golden-amber against the dark ground. The design encircles the vase in a continuous composition, so every angle reveals a fresh view. A signed wooden tomobako (storage box) accompanies the piece, with brushed inscriptions on the lid, indicating this is a documented studio work rather than a generic production piece, making it a highly collectable example of handcrafted Japanese antique pottery.

In a modern home this vase works beautifully as a standalone sculptural object -- no flowers needed. Its earthy, organic palette slots naturally into a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior, complementing raw linen, aged wood, and natural stone surfaces. Set it on a living room shelf or low sideboard as a statement accent, or place a single dried stem or bare branch inside to echo the minimalist spirit of ikebana itself. It would also make an elegant centerpiece on a dining table or home office desk, grounding the space with quiet, handmade warmth. For the collector, the accompanying tomobako adds provenance and display value. This is a meaningful unique gift for Japanophiles, ceramic collectors, or anyone drawn to the meditative beauty of Japanese antique pottery.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Iron-rich stoneware with natural ash and iron glaze; wooden tomobako (storage box)
• Use: Ikebana flower arrangement vase
• Modern Use: Living room sculptural accent; minimalist decor centerpiece for dining table or home office desk; display piece with dried botanicals or bare branch in Japandi or wabi-sabi styled interiors
• Features: Tama-gata (ball-form) body; narrow neck with darkened rim; all-over sgraffito botanical decoration -- incised arcing stems, leaf forms, and flower motifs -- wrapping continuously around the vessel; warm iron-brown glaze shifting to olive-green at shoulder; unglazed foot ring revealing iron-red clay body; accompanied by signed wooden tomobako with brushed inscription
• Dimensions: 7"W x 6"D x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A compelling piece of Japanese antique pottery that brings the meditative spirit of ikebana and the wabi-sabi aesthetic into any modern living 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.