Antique Japanese Sake Bottle, 1912 - 1926 (Taisho) | SKU: 26M-694-1

Japanese Tokkuri Sake Bottle | Decorative Bud Vase & Living Room Accent, 1912-1926 (Taisho), SKU 26M-694-1

A hand-painted blue-and-white porcelain tokkuri adorned with pine, plum, and bamboo -- the classic sho-chiku-bai motif of good fortune.

A tokkuri is a traditional Japanese sake pouring bottle, used at the table to serve warmed or room-temperature sake into small cups called ochoko. This handcrafted Japanese antique ceramic dates to the Taisho era and displays the refined blue-and-white porcelain tradition that flourished across Japan's kilns during that period. The bottle features an elegantly elongated neck rising from a rounded ovoid body -- a silhouette that is both functional and sculpturally pleasing. The body is painted with a naturalistic landscape featuring matsu (pine), ume (plum blossom), and bamboo, the three auspicious plants known collectively as sho-chiku-bai, symbolizing longevity, perseverance, and resilience. A bold geometric fret border encircles the lower body in deep cobalt blue, while the neck is decorated with an intricate medallion pattern of dotted chrysanthemum-like roundels. The decoration combines underglaze cobalt blue with overglaze green enamel on the pine, adding depth and warmth to this vintage Japanese ceramic.

Today this tokkuri makes a striking decorative accent far beyond the sake table. Its graceful bottle form and Japandi-style blue-and-white palette suit it beautifully as a bud vase -- a single stem of cherry blossom or dried grass would look stunning emerging from its narrow neck. Display it on a living room shelf, a bedroom nightstand, or a minimalist entryway console as a standalone sculptural object. It would also make a thoughtful and unique gift for collectors of Japanese antique ceramics, or as a housewarming gift for anyone who appreciates wabi-sabi aesthetic and handcrafted Japanese art. The unglazed foot ring and softly aged glaze surface give it the authentic character that collectors seek.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze green enamel decoration
• Use: Tokkuri -- traditional sake pouring bottle used at the table to serve sake
• Modern Use: Decorative bud vase, living room or entryway accent, unique gift for collectors of Japanese antique ceramics
• Features: Rounded ovoid body with elongated narrow neck; hand-painted sho-chiku-bai motif (pine, plum, and bamboo) in cobalt blue and green enamel; geometric fret border at base; dotted roundel pattern covering the neck; unglazed foot rim
• Dimensions: 4" Diameter x 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A timeless piece of Japanese antique ceramics -- this Taisho-era tokkuri brings the elegance of blue-and-white porcelain and centuries of auspicious symbolism 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.