Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Ceramic Figurine, Heisei (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-532

Vintage Japanese Tanuki Ceramic Figurine, Heisei (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-532

A boldly sculpted ceramic tanuki -- Japan's beloved symbol of good fortune, merriment, and prosperity.

A tanuki is a raccoon dog deeply embedded in Japanese folklore as a bringer of good luck, abundance, and joyful mischief. This large handcrafted ceramic tanuki figurine captures the creature in its most iconic pose -- rotund belly proudly displayed, a straw hat (kasa) swept back over its head, an abacus (soroban) raised aloft in one paw, and a sake bottle (tokkuri) tucked under the other arm. A glazed white bill-like label on its side bears hand-painted brushwork characters reading something akin to "good fortune" or a similar auspicious phrase, reinforcing the piece's role as a vintage Japanese craft talisman. The figure is finished in a striking two-tone palette: a deep, unglazed dark clay body with fine incised fur texture contrasted against a glossy cream-white glaze on the belly. The straw hat is rendered in warm ochre tones with naturalistic surface detailing, and the back of the hat cleverly forms a hollow open vessel -- a secondary planting or display cavity. This is a substantial, expressive example of handcrafted Japanese folk ceramics with real character and presence.

Today, a tanuki statue like this makes an irresistible statement piece in any home. Stand it on an entryway console or porch as a traditional good-luck guardian -- a role tanuki figures have played at the entrances of Japanese shops and homes for generations. Its substantial scale and bold wabi-sabi aesthetic make it equally at home as a living room accent on a bookshelf or sideboard, adding an earthy, folkloric charm to Japandi-style or eclectic interiors. The hollow hat on the reverse could even serve as a small succulent planter or decorative vessel for a windowsill display. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese folk art and vintage ceramics.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Stoneware ceramic; unglazed dark clay body with cream white glaze on belly and ochre-toned hat; hand-painted brushwork characters
• Use: Decorative good-luck figurine (tanuki); traditional talisman for shop and home entryways
• Modern Use: Entryway or porch lucky statue; living room accent or bookshelf display; hollow hat repurposed as a small succulent planter
• Features: Full-round sculpted form with incised fur texture throughout; glossy cream belly glaze; ochre straw hat with hollow open cavity to the reverse; raised abacus (soroban) in one paw; sake bottle (tokkuri) under opposing arm; hand-painted auspicious characters on glazed label; expressive open-mouthed face with inset white-and-black eyes
• Dimensions: 16"W x 14"D x 24"H
• Condition: Excellent

A charismatic piece of vintage Japanese folk ceramics -- this tanuki brings old-world good fortune and unmistakable character 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 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.