Vintage Japanese Sometsuke Porcelain Sake Set with Double-Gourd Tokkuri and Yunomi Cups, Heisei (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-624

Vintage Japanese Sometsuke Porcelain Sake Set with Double-Gourd Tokkuri and Yunomi Cups, Heisei (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-624

A striking sometsuke porcelain sake set with double-gourd tokkuri and matching yunomi cups, presented in its original signed wooden tomobako box.

A tokkuri is a traditional Japanese sake flask used to warm and pour nihonshu (sake) at the table, typically accompanied by small cups known as ochoko or yunomi. This handsome vintage set features a pair of double-gourd-shaped tokkuri -- a classic hyotan form long associated with good fortune -- alongside several matching yunomi cups, all rendered in bold sometsuke (cobalt underglaze blue on white porcelain). The decoration is richly painted with a garden scene of birds perched among flowering plum branches and lush foliage, a motif drawn from the Japanese tradition of kacho-ga (flower-and-bird imagery) that symbolizes natural beauty and seasonal harmony. A warm iron-brown band encircles the waist of each flask, adding a refined contrast to the deep indigo ground. The brushwork is confident and expressive, consistent with the work of a skilled studio kiln, and the wooden tomobako storage box bears a kiln seal and calligraphic inscription identifying the piece -- a mark of quality typical of Japanese ceramic gift ware.

This vintage Japanese porcelain sake set is as decorative as it is functional, making it an exceptional choice for the modern home. Display the pair of tokkuri flasks as a living room accent or shelf vignette in a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi-inspired interior, where their deep blue glaze and organic forms create an instant focal point. Use the full set to host an authentic sake-tasting evening or Japanese dinner party, bringing a touch of ceremony and cultural depth to the table. Still housed in its original tomobako box, this set also makes a unique gift for collectors of Japanese ceramics, a housewarming gift for design-conscious friends, or a gift for Japanophiles who appreciate fine handcrafted Japanese pottery.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Sometsuke porcelain (cobalt underglaze blue on white); paulownia or sugi wood tomobako box
• Use: Sake serving set -- tokkuri flasks for warming and pouring sake, yunomi cups for drinking
• Modern Use: Display as a decorative living room or shelf accent; use as a functional sake or hot-beverage serving set; gift set for collectors of Japanese ceramics or Japanophiles
• Features: Pair of double-gourd (hyotan) tokkuri flasks and multiple matching yunomi cups; all-over kacho-ga bird-and-plum-blossom motif in deep sometsuke cobalt blue; iron-brown accent band at flask waist; white porcelain interior to cups; kiln-signed wooden tomobako storage box with calligraphic inscription and red seal
• Dimensions: 3" Diameter x 4 1/2"H (bottle), 1 1/2" Diameter x 2"H (cup)
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved piece of handcrafted Japanese porcelain that brings the artistry and ceremony of Japanese ceramic tradition to any modern table or display.

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 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.