Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Statue, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-506

Japanese Tanuki Shigaraki Pottery Statue | Lucky Figurine & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-506

A spirited Shigaraki-ware tanuki with green straw hat and sake tokkuri -- a beloved symbol of good fortune and jovial charm.

A tanuki is the Japanese raccoon dog, long celebrated in folklore as a mischievous and auspicious creature said to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness to those who display one in their home or shop. Shigaraki-yaki, fired in the ancient kilns of Shiga Prefecture, is the most iconic tradition for crafting tanuki statues, and this handsome example shows all the hallmarks of that craft -- coarse, iron-rich stoneware clay hand-modeled with deeply scored fur texture, a creamy unglazed belly, and rich dark iron-oxide body coloring achieved through the kiln's natural atmosphere. The figure is depicted in a lively seated pose with one paw raised in greeting, wearing the classic kasa (woven straw hat) rendered in layered green glaze with incised leaf-vein detailing. He is accompanied by a separately formed tokkuri (sake bottle) in cream stoneware with brushed iron and green drip glaze, hung from a twisted hemp cord -- a delightful nod to the tanuki's legendary love of sake and carefree spirit. This is a fine example of vintage Japanese folk pottery from the Late Showa era, a period when Shigaraki kilns produced tanuki figures in great numbers for shops and homes across Japan.

In a modern home, this characterful Shigaraki tanuki makes an irresistible living room accent or entryway statement piece -- the Japanese tradition of placing a tanuki at the entrance of a business or home to invite good fortune translates beautifully to contemporary interiors. Displayed on a shelf, console table, or garden step, it brings a warm wabi-sabi aesthetic and a touch of Japanese folk art to any setting. The companion tokkuri bottle can stand alongside as a decorative accent in its own right. Whether you collect Japanese antique pottery, embrace Japandi-style decor, or are simply searching for a unique housewarming gift, this expressive tanuki is an enduring conversation piece full of personality and cultural history.

• Origin: Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Shigaraki stoneware; iron-oxide slip body, unglazed cream belly, green glazed hat; companion tokkuri in cream stoneware with iron and green drip glaze and hemp cord
• Use: Decorative good-luck figurine for home or shop entrance; folk pottery display piece
• Modern Use: Entryway or living room accent figurine; garden or patio decorative statue; unique housewarming gift for collectors of Japanese folk art
• Features: Hand-modeled Shigaraki stoneware; deeply scored fur texture across body and tail; raised paw in greeting pose; green glazed kasa hat with incised leaf detailing; cream unglazed rounded belly; separately formed companion tokkuri sake bottle with brushed iron and green drip glaze and twisted hemp cord loop
• Dimensions: 14"W x 10"D x 12"H
• Condition: Excellent

A joyful piece of Japanese antique pottery steeped in folklore -- this Shigaraki tanuki brings warmth, good fortune, and timeless folk charm 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.