Vintage Japanese flower Vase, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-779-4

Japanese Ikebana Vase | Blue and White Flower Vase & Living Room Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-779-4

A hand-painted blue and white pottery vase with a globular body, slender neck, and freely brushed botanical motifs -- a graceful expression of mid-century Japanese ceramic craft.

An ikebana vase is a traditional Japanese vessel designed to hold flower arrangements in the disciplined art of ikebana, where the shape and proportion of the vase are considered as important as the blooms themselves. This example features the classic tama (ball-shaped) body with a tall, narrow neck that channels and elevates a single stem or spare arrangement in true wabi-sabi fashion. The off-white stoneware ground is decorated all around in cobalt blue underglaze with boldly brushed motifs -- lotus blossoms with unfurling petals on one side and bamboo-like grasses on the other -- rendered in the expressive, freehand manner typical of mid-Showa folk pottery. A wavy band encircles the shoulder where the neck meets the body, adding rhythmic detail to the composition. The slight unevenness in the glaze, the visible clay texture at the unglazed foot ring, and the spontaneous quality of the brushwork all speak to handcrafted Japanese ceramic tradition rather than industrial production.

Today this vintage Japanese pottery vase works beautifully in a wide range of modern interiors. Display it empty on a bookshelf or sideboard as a sculptural living room accent -- the blue and white palette pairs naturally with Japandi style and minimalist decor alike. Fill it with a single branch of cherry blossom, dried pampas grass, or a slender stem of eucalyptus for an effortless ikebana-inspired arrangement on a dining table or entryway console. It also makes a thoughtful and unique gift for Japanophiles, ceramics collectors, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted objects with genuine age and character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Stoneware with cobalt blue underglaze decoration and clear glaze
• Use: Ikebana flower vase; decorative display vessel
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; ikebana or dried-flower arrangement vase; unique gift for ceramics collectors
• Features: Globular tama-form body with tall slender neck; hand-painted cobalt blue botanical motifs including lotus blossoms and grasses encircling the body; wavy band at the shoulder; off-white stoneware ground with lightly textured surface; unglazed foot ring; freehand brushwork consistent with mid-Showa folk pottery tradition
• Dimensions: 6" Diameter x 12"H
• Condition: Good overall; minor chips visible at the shoulder where neck meets body, consistent with age and use; glaze crazing and small surface imperfections throughout, adding to the wabi-sabi character of the piece

A quietly compelling piece of vintage Japanese pottery that brings the unhurried beauty of ikebana and the wabi-sabi aesthetic 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.