Vintage Japanese Tanuki Clay Figurine with Removable Kasa Hat and Sake Flask, Heisei Period (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-706-1

Vintage Japanese Tanuki Clay  Figurine with Removable Kasa Hat and Sake Flask, Heisei Period (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-706-1

A wonderfully characterful tanuki figurine in speckled granite, complete with a removable sedge hat and a small sake tokkuri flask -- a beloved symbol of good fortune in Japanese culture.

A tanuki is a Japanese raccoon dog long celebrated in folklore as a bringer of luck, abundance, and merry mischief. Clay  tanuki figurines have stood guard outside homes, restaurants, and sake shops across Japan for centuries, each one carved with the creature's signature attributes -- a wide straw hat (kasa), a flask of sake, and a rotund, good-humored belly. This particular example is rendered in a speckled grey Clay , the surface deeply textured with a coarse, pitted finish that lends it an appealingly weathered, wabi-sabi quality. The face is full of personality: wide-set inlaid eyes, a broad snout, and a knowing half-smile. A braided cord necklace encircles the neck, and a small stone sake flask hangs from one paw on a length of twisted natural twine. Most delightfully, the wide flat kasa hat is a separate, removable piece -- also secured by a braided cord tied across the back -- making this a truly special example of handcrafted Japanese sculptural folk art.

In the modern home, a tanuki garden sculpture like this one makes an irresistible living room accent or entryway statement piece -- set it beside a front door to channel its traditional role as a good-luck guardian, or nestle it among plants in a courtyard or Japandi-style garden for an authentic touch of Japanese outdoor decor. Indoors, it works beautifully as a conversation-starting shelf ornament or a bold focal point in a minimalist decor setting. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors of Japanese folk art and garden sculpture.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Clay with speckled granite-style finish; braided natural cord; inlaid eyes
• Use: Decorative garden or entryway sculpture; traditional good-luck talisman
• Modern Use: Entryway or front-door good-luck accent; Japandi-style garden or patio ornament; living room or bookshelf display piece
• Features: Fully three-dimensional tanuki figure in seated pose; removable flat kasa hat secured with braided cord; small sake tokkuri flask suspended from paw by natural twine; cord necklace detail at neck;  inlaid round eyes with dark pupils; hand-tooled surface marks visible on body and base
• Dimensions: 6 1/2"W x 8"D x 11 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A charming and characterful piece of vintage Japanese garden sculpture -- this tanuki brings the warmth of Japanese folk tradition and wabi-sabi spirit into any home or garden setting.

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.