Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Statue, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-561

Japanese Tanuki Shigaraki Statue | Lucky Raccoon Dog Figurine & Living Room Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-561

A rare commemorative Shigaraki-ware tanuki -- dressed in a straw mino cape and kasa hat, carrying an inscribed lucky sake jug -- issued to celebrate a business anniversary.

A tanuki is a Japanese raccoon dog long celebrated in folklore as a bringer of good fortune, financial luck, and conviviality. The Shigaraki kilns of Shiga Prefecture have produced tanuki figurines since the early twentieth century, and the style reached its peak popularity during the Late Showa era when ceramic tanuki became standard good-luck fixtures outside homes, restaurants, and shops across Japan. This handcrafted Shigaraki pottery tanuki is rendered in the classic manner: a rich, dark iron-brown glaze over a stout, rounded body, with a boldly modeled face wearing an expression of cheerful wide-eyed wonder. The generous kasa (conical hat) is finished in a warm amber glaze with incised radiating lines, and the figure wears a full mino (traditional straw rain cape) of real woven straw -- a beautifully tactile detail that distinguishes this piece from standard glazed examples. The tanuki cradles a pale ceramic sake jug inscribed with text commemorating a company's 30th founding anniversary, along with a small painted gourd. A charming painted mascot character -- a paint-bucket figure holding a brush -- appears on the ceramic panel at the base, identifying this as a bespoke promotional gift made for a paint or decorating shop, making it a genuinely rare piece of Japanese antique folk pottery.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese tanuki statue makes an irresistible living room accent or entryway focal point -- exactly the role these figures have always played, welcoming guests and inviting good luck through the door. Its wabi-sabi aesthetic, combining rough straw texture with smooth glazed ceramic, pairs beautifully with Japandi-style interiors, natural wood shelving, or earthy minimalist decor. It would also make a standout display piece in a home office or on a bookshelf alongside other Japanese folk ceramics. As a unique gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese pottery with authentic folk character, this commemorative tanuki is virtually impossible to replicate -- a one-of-a-kind piece of Late Showa history.

• Origin: Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Shigaraki stoneware with iron-brown and amber glaze; real woven straw mino cape and cord detailing; small woven straw accessories
• Use: Decorative good-luck figurine; commemorative corporate gift marking a business's 30th anniversary, likely for a paint or decorating shop
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway accent; bookshelf or home office display piece; unique gift for collectors of Japanese folk pottery
• Features: Full straw mino (rain cape) with woven collar band; large amber-glazed kasa hat with incised sunburst detail; ceramic sake jug with anniversary inscription and painted gourd; painted mascot character on ceramic panel at base; rich dark iron-brown glaze overall; expressive modeled face with inset eyes
• Dimensions: 6"W x 6"D x 11"H
• Condition: Excellent

A one-of-a-kind piece of handcrafted Japanese folk pottery -- this commemorative Shigaraki tanuki brings the warmth, charm, and good-luck spirit of Late Showa Japan into 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.