Vintage Japanese Tetsuki bachi Handled Bowl, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-565-1

Japanese Bizen-yaki Tetsuki Hachi Handled Bowl | Wabi-Sabi Centerpiece & Fruit Bowl Display, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-565-1

A rare Bizen-yaki unglazed ceramic handled bowl with a woven vine handle, presented in its original signed wooden tomobako storage box.

A tetsuki hachi is a traditional Japanese handled ceramic bowl -- "tetsuki" meaning "with handle" and "hachi" meaning bowl -- made to hold seasonal offerings, confections, or decorative objects during the tea ceremony and formal hospitality. This striking example is crafted in the revered Bizen style, one of Japan's oldest and most celebrated ceramic traditions originating in Okayama Prefecture. Bizen-yaki is distinguished by its unglazed, high-fired stoneware body, which develops its rich warm palette entirely through wood-kiln firing -- the flame and ash leaving distinctive hi-iro (fire markings) of burnt sienna, terracotta, and cream across the surface. The interior reveals natural ash markings that form spontaneous geometric patterns, each utterly unique to this firing. The arching handle is fashioned from twisted and knotted vine, threaded through the ceramic wall and secured in the characteristically rustic Bizen manner -- a detail that speaks directly to the wabi-sabi aesthetic so central to Japanese antique craft. The piece retains its original tomobako wooden presentation box, inscribed with the potter's seal and the work's name, confirming its status as a serious collector's item.

In today's home, this handcrafted Japanese ceramic bowl translates beautifully beyond its ceremonial origins. Set on a dining table or kitchen counter, it makes an exceptional living room accent or fruit bowl that doubles as sculptural centerpiece decor. Its earthy tones and organic silhouette pair naturally with Japandi style interiors, wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces, and minimalist decor schemes alike. Place it on an entryway console to hold keys and small objects, or display it on a bookshelf or mantel as a standalone art piece. The vine-handled form is also a captivating gift for collectors, Japanophiles, and lovers of Japanese antique ceramics -- especially meaningful presented with its original tomobako box intact.

• Origin: Japan -- Bizen, Okayama Prefecture
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Unglazed Bizen stoneware with natural hi-iro fire markings; twisted and knotted vine handle; hinoki (cypress) tomobako storage box
• Use: Tetsuki hachi -- a handled ceramic bowl used for seasonal offerings, confections, or decorative display in tea ceremony and formal hospitality settings
• Modern Use: Living room centerpiece or fruit bowl display; entryway accent bowl for keys and small objects; decorative art piece on a shelf or mantel
• Features: Organic boat-like form with gently undulating rim; natural hi-iro and ash flash markings throughout interior and exterior; handcrafted twisted vine arc handle threaded and knotted through ceramic wall; incised geometric markings on interior floor; includes original signed tomobako wooden box with potter's seal
• Dimensions: 8"W x 11"D x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent

A deeply expressive piece of Japanese antique ceramic art -- where the fire, the clay, and the craftsman's hand converge in a single wabi-sabi object made to be lived with.

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.