Vintage Japanese Water Pot, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-938

Japanese Mizusashi Water Pot | Vintage Tea Ceremony Jar & Wabi-Sabi Decor, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-938

A boldly fired stoneware mizusashi with dramatic ash glaze -- a living expression of the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

A mizusashi is a traditional Japanese water jar used in the chado (tea ceremony) to hold fresh cold water, which the host ladles into the iron kettle to replenish it during the ritual. Considered one of the most important utensils in the tea room, the mizusashi is chosen with great care -- its form, glaze, and texture all speaking to the season and the mood of the gathering. This example is a fine piece of handcrafted Japanese pottery, wheel-thrown in a full, rounded form with a wide collar neck and fitted with a flat disc lid bearing a sturdy knob finial. The exterior has been fired in a wood-burning or anagama-style kiln, producing a wildly expressive surface of warm amber, burnt sienna, and cascading ash deposits that pool into matte cream and pale celadon tones around the neck and rim. The interior is glazed in a deep, glossy dark grey -- both practical and visually compelling. The overall effect is unmistakably wabi -- rough, earthy, and alive with the character of the flame. Comes in its original wood storage box (tomobako), adding further value for collectors of vintage Japanese teaware.

In a modern home, this mizusashi makes a stunning living room accent or entryway statement piece -- its raw, sculptural surface drawing the eye immediately. Style it on a low shelf or wooden tray as part of a Japandi-style or wabi-sabi aesthetic vignette alongside natural textiles and dried botanicals. It works beautifully as a decorative vessel for a single stem arrangement, bringing the quiet drama of ikebana into any space. For those who practice chado, it remains fully functional as a water jar and would make a truly memorable gift for collectors of Japanese antique ceramics or for anyone who appreciates the beauty of handcrafted Japanese craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware with natural ash glaze; dark glazed interior; wood storage box (tomobako) included
• Use: Mizusashi -- tea ceremony cold water jar used in chado practice
• Modern Use: Decorative living room accent or shelf display; single-stem vase for ikebana-inspired arrangements; statement piece in a Japandi or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior
• Features: Full rounded body with wide collar neck; natural wood-fired ash glaze in amber, sienna, and cream tones; pale celadon neck and rim; deep dark glossy interior; flat disc lid with raised knob finial; comes with original tomobako storage box
• Dimensions: 7" Diameter x 8"H
• Condition: Excellent

A masterwork of Japanese antique ceramics -- raw, elemental, and deeply beautiful in 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.