Vintage Japanese Vase, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-634 (26M-634-1)

Japanese Shigaraki-yaki Flower Vase | Ikebana Vase & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-634-1

A boldly sculptural Shigaraki stoneware vase with hand-incised grass motifs and a rich black-ash glaze -- presented in its original signed wooden box.

A hanaire (flower vase) is a vessel used in the Japanese art of ikebana -- the meditative practice of arranged flowers -- where the container itself is considered as important as the blooms it holds. This generously proportioned globe-form vase is a fine example of Shigaraki-yaki, one of Japan's six ancient kiln traditions, produced in Shiga Prefecture and prized for its coarse, iron-rich stoneware clay and earthy naturalism. The rounded body swells from a tight, unglazed foot ring to a broad shoulder before narrowing to a gently collared mouth, creating the classic tsubo silhouette associated with Shigaraki flower vessels. The exterior is dressed in a dense black ash glaze that breaks across the textured surface in silver-gray flashes, capturing the unpredictable beauty of wood-fire reduction. Hand-incised across the body are spare, fluid lines depicting susuki grass (Japanese pampas grass) punctuated by small cross-hatched floral accents -- motifs deeply rooted in Japanese autumn imagery and the wabi-sabi aesthetic. The paulownia wood tomobako (presentation box) bears the potter's signature and the inscription "hanaire" (flower vase), confirming this as a considered studio work by an artist identified as Meizan.

In a modern home, this handcrafted Japanese stoneware vase makes an immediate statement as a living room accent or entryway focal point -- its matte black form equally at home in Japandi style interiors, minimalist decor schemes, or alongside organic mid-century modern furnishings. Place a single sculptural branch or dried susuki stem inside to honor the ikebana tradition, or display it empty on a sideboard or bookshelf where its tactile surface and moody glaze do all the work. Its compact, weighty form also makes it a natural fit as a bedroom decor accent on a nightstand or low shelf. For gift-givers, this is a rare and thoughtful housewarming gift for anyone who collects Japanese antiques, appreciates studio pottery, or is drawn to the quiet depth of wabi-sabi living.

• Origin: Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Shigaraki stoneware with black ash glaze; unglazed foot ring; sugi (cedar) tomobako presentation box
• Use: Ikebana flower vase (hanaire); studio decorative vessel
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; ikebana or dried flower arrangement; minimalist shelf display in Japandi or wabi-sabi interiors
• Features: Globe-form tsubo silhouette; textured black ash glaze with silver-gray surface variation; hand-incised susuki grass and cross-hatched floral motifs; collared mouth; unglazed foot ring with potter's seal; includes signed tomobako wooden presentation box inscribed "hanaire" and attributed to artist Meizan
• Dimensions: 10" Diameter x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless piece of Japanese antique pottery -- this Shigaraki hanaire brings the earthy depth of the wabi-sabi aesthetic and the quiet artistry of ikebana into any contemporary 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.