Vintage Japanese Fishing Float, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-517

Japanese Ukidama Glass Fishing Float | Coastal Decor Accent & Nautical Display Piece, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-517

A hand-blown teal glass buoy wrapped in a hand-knotted rope net -- a genuine relic of Japan's deep-sea fishing tradition.

An ukidama is a traditional Japanese glass fishing float, once deployed by the thousands along the nets and long-lines of Japan's coastal fishing fleets. Mouth-blown from recycled glass, each ukidama carries the subtle irregularities of hand craftsmanship -- slight surface dimples, gentle color variation, and the faint shimmer of trapped air -- that make them impossible to replicate by machine. This example displays a rich blue-green teal color with excellent translucency, the glass sphere fully enclosed in a tightly hand-knotted rope net with a looped hanging cord at the crown. The net work is dense and even, with clean diamond-pattern knotting radiating from the top, demonstrating the skill of the fisherman or net-maker who assembled it. By the Late Showa era, synthetic floats were rapidly replacing glass, making authentic glass ukidama increasingly scarce -- a compelling piece of vintage Japanese craft and maritime history.

Today, vintage Japanese glass fishing floats are among the most sought-after coastal and nautical collectibles in the world, prized for their organic beauty and wabi-sabi aesthetic. Display this ukidama on a living room shelf, a driftwood tray, or a windowsill where natural light can play through the teal glass and cast soft reflections across the room. It suits Japandi style interiors, beach house decor, and any space that calls for an authentic, storied accent. Grouped with other coastal objects or displayed solo, it makes a unique housewarming gift or a stand-out addition to a collection of Japanese antiques and maritime curiosities.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Hand-blown glass (teal blue-green); hand-knotted rope net
• Use: Fishing net buoy -- used to keep commercial fishing nets and long-lines afloat at sea
• Modern Use: Coastal or nautical living room accent; windowsill display piece to catch natural light; decorative element in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled shelf arrangement
• Features: Spherical hand-blown glass orb in translucent teal; full-coverage hand-knotted rope net in a diamond lattice pattern; looped hanging cord at the crown; subtle surface texture and natural glass irregularities consistent with hand production
• Dimensions: 11" Diameter
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and beautiful piece of Japanese antique maritime craft -- the warm glow of vintage teal glass and the artistry of hand-knotted rope bring an authentic coastal soul to 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.