Vintage Japanese Vase, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-701 (26M-701-1)

Japanese Ikebana Vase | Vintage Flower Arranging Vessel & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-701-1

A boldly hand-thrown stoneware vase in the wabi-sabi aesthetic, offered with its original signed wooden storage box.

An ikebana vase is a vessel made specifically to support the Japanese art of flower arranging, where the shape, weight, and surface texture of the container are considered as essential as the flowers themselves. This substantial hand-thrown stoneware piece displays all the hallmarks of a skilled late Showa-era studio potter working in a folk-ceramic (mingei) tradition. The body is covered in a mottled amber and ash glaze that pools and breaks unevenly across the surface, producing a rich depth of warm ochre, brown, and cream tones unique to each firing. Incised sgraffito lines sweep across the belly in a loose leaf-and-diagonal pattern, while a carved wave-band encircles the shoulder and small applied lug handles flank the waist -- details that root this piece firmly in the handcrafted Japanese pottery tradition. Cross-hatched marks decorate the cylindrical neck, and the flat, unglazed foot reveals a coarse, sandy clay body consistent with Japanese stoneware. The piece retains its original wooden tomobako (storage box) with a brushed inscription on the lid, indicating it was made or certified by a named artist -- a significant mark of provenance for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

In a modern home this vase is as versatile as it is striking. Its generous opening and upright form make it ideal for loose ikebana or bonsai-inspired dry arrangements -- a single sculptural branch or bundle of dried grasses placed inside instantly creates a living room accent with deep Japandi style appeal. It works equally well as a standalone decorative object on an entryway console, a bedroom dresser, or a home office shelf, where its earthy tones complement natural wood, linen, and stone surfaces. Collectors of Japanese antique pottery will appreciate the tomobako provenance, while interior designers will love its raw, wabi-sabi texture. It makes a thoughtful and unique gift for Japanophiles or anyone drawn to handcrafted objects with a story.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Hand-thrown stoneware with mottled amber and ash glaze; coarse sandy clay body
• Use: Ikebana flower-arranging vase; decorative display vessel
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; vessel for ikebana or dried botanical arrangements; display piece for a Japandi or wabi-sabi interior
• Features: Sgraffito incised leaf-and-diagonal motifs on body; carved wave-band at shoulder; applied lug handles at waist; cross-hatched marks on neck; mottled ochre, brown, and cream ash glaze with natural kiln variation; unglazed flat foot; includes original tomobako wooden storage box with brushed artist inscription
• Dimensions: 5"W x 6"D x 11"H
• Condition: Excellent

A character-rich piece of vintage Japanese stoneware pottery that brings the quiet beauty of 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.