Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Ceramic Figurine, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-823

Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Ceramic Figurine, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26M-823

A large and expressive postwar folk-ceramic tanuki -- hand-sculpted with incised fur texture, painted slip accents, and an impressed studio seal -- embodying the playful spirit of Japanese good-luck tradition.

A tanuki is the iconic raccoon-dog trickster of Japanese folklore, and ceramic tanuki figurines have been placed at shop and home entrances for generations as symbols of good fortune, hospitality, and prosperity. This large-scale example is a superb piece of vintage Japanese craft, hand-built from a dark stoneware clay body and decorated with meticulous incised line-work that renders every tuft of fur with remarkable life. The figure stands in the classic pose: a wide-brimmed straw hat glazed in warm amber-brown rises behind a gleeful open-mouthed face with applied bulging eyes, while one paw clutches a gnarled walking staff finished in celadon green glaze and the other holds a sake flask in cream-glazed stoneware. A white slip tablet on the figure's side bears bold brushed characters and an impressed studio seal in the lower corner -- a mark consistent with a named regional kiln, though the exact attribution remains unconfirmed. Teal-green glaze accents the collar, lending a vivid contrast to the dark, smoky clay body.

At a generous 24 inches tall, this vintage tanuki makes a commanding statement well beyond its traditional role as a good-luck guardian. Display it as a living room accent on a wide hearth or low shelf to anchor a wabi-sabi or Japandi-style interior. Its substantial scale and weathered character also make it a striking entryway sculpture -- a conversation-starting alternative to the usual side-table vase. Garden collectors and Japanophiles will appreciate it equally as a covered patio focal point. Whether gifted as a unique housewarming gift or kept as the centerpiece of a Japanese vintage collection, this figurine carries decades of charm and folk-art personality.

• Origin: Japan, regional folk kiln (possibly Shigaraki or related stoneware tradition; exact kiln unconfirmed)
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Dark stoneware ceramic; white slip panel with brushed decoration; amber-brown glaze on hat, celadon green glaze on staff and collar accents; impressed studio seal
• Use: Decorative good-luck ornament; traditionally placed at shop or home entrance as a symbol of prosperity and welcome
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway statement sculpture; covered garden or patio accent; centerpiece for a Japanese vintage or folk-art collection
• Features: Large standing tanuki form with wide-brimmed straw hat; open-mouthed expressive face with applied eyes; finely incised fur texture across the full body; green-glazed walking staff with applied hand detail; cream-glazed sake flask; white slip auspicious-phrase tablet with brushed characters; impressed potter's seal at lower corner of tablet; rotund belly in unglazed slip; visible age wear and surface patina consistent with mid-century folk production
• Dimensions: 15"W x 12"D x 24"H
• Condition: Good -- consistent with age; visible surface wear, minor grime accumulation, and small losses around the mouth area; overall form and decoration remain bold and intact

A magnificent piece of vintage Japanese folk ceramic art -- this tanuki brings the warmth of Showa-era craft tradition and the enduring good-luck spirit of Japanese vintage figurines into any modern home or garden.

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.