Vintage Japanese Lidded Container, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-980

Japanese Hakuji Lidded Porcelain Box | Vintage Jewelry Box & Vanity Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-980

A blue-and-white porcelain kogo in a lobed gourd form, hand-painted with dense arabesque scrollwork and a charming bird-shaped finial.

A kogo is a traditional Japanese lidded container used to hold incense, cosmetics, or small keepsakes -- a form with deep roots in Japanese ceramic craft stretching back centuries. This Late Showa example is rendered in classic sometsuke style, with cobalt blue decoration applied under a clear glaze on a creamy white porcelain body. The lobed, gourd-inspired silhouette -- known as hyotan-gata -- gives the piece a soft, sculptural character, and the intricately painted arabesque scroll and peony motifs wrap continuously around both the base and the domed lid. A small hand-modeled bird serves as the finial, its feathers lightly touched with blue -- an endearing detail that elevates this from functional object to handcrafted Japanese collectible. The interior is glazed in a soft celadon-tinged white, smooth and clean throughout.

Today this delightful little box is perfectly suited to a bedroom or dressing table as a jewelry box or ring dish -- ideal for storing rings, earrings, or a favourite pendant. It would sit beautifully on a bathroom shelf holding hairpins or small accessories, or on a living room accent shelf as a standalone decorative object in a Japandi-style or minimalist decor arrangement. Its compact size and timeless blue-and-white palette make it a charming housewarming gift or a unique gift for collectors of Japanese antique ceramics and Japanophiles alike.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: White porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue (sometsuke) decoration; clear glaze overall
• Use: Lidded container (kogo) for incense, cosmetics, or small personal items
• Modern Use: Jewelry box or ring dish on a dressing table; bathroom organizer for pins and accessories; decorative accent in a living room or entryway display
• Features: Lobed gourd-form (hyotan-gata) body; dense arabesque scroll and peony motifs in cobalt blue on white; matching decorated lid; hand-modeled bird finial with blue accent; smooth celadon-tinged glazed interior; unglazed flat foot rim
• Dimensions: 4"W x  6"D x 4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully crafted piece of Japanese antique porcelain -- the timeless blue-and-white palette and sculptural gourd form bring quiet elegance 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.