Vintage Japanese Mizusashi Water Pot, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-949

Japanese Mizusashi Water Pot | Tea Ceremony Vessel & Wabi-Sabi Decor Accent, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-949

A signed studio pottery mizusashi in rich natural-ash glaze, presented in its original wooden storage box -- a rare and collectible piece of Japanese antique teaware.

A mizusashi is the fresh-water jar used in Japanese chado (the way of tea) to replenish the iron kettle and rinse utensils during a formal tea gathering. It is one of the most visually prominent vessels on the tea mat, and accomplished potters have long devoted their finest craft to its making. This example is a superb piece of handcrafted Japanese pottery, formed from a dense, iron-rich stoneware clay and fired to produce a dramatic landscape of colours: deep amber and dark chocolatey brown at the base melt upward into cascading pools of olive and celadon-green ash glaze, with bright white kiln-speckle scattered across the entire surface. The cylindrical body is gently waisted, with a pronounced collar rim and a pair of small applied lug handles -- details characteristic of traditional mizusashi forms. A low-domed lid with a rounded knob fits neatly into the collar, completing the vessel. The unglazed base shows vivid natural fire markings, confirming an anagama or noborigama wood-kiln firing. The piece is accompanied by its original inscribed wooden tomobako (storage box), which bears the characters for "mizusashi" and an artist's seal, strongly suggesting this is a signed work by a named studio potter -- an important indicator of collector value.

Beyond its original role in the tea room, this mizusashi is a striking living room accent or shelf display piece for anyone drawn to the wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi style interiors. Its earthy, flame-kissed palette pairs naturally with raw linen, dark timber, and matte ceramics, making it equally at home on a minimalist coffee table, a home office credenza, or a curated entryway vignette. The lidded form also makes it a practical desk organizer for small items such as pens, brushes, or rolled scrolls -- or it can simply stand alone as a sculptural conversation piece. With its tomobako included, this is a genuinely special gift for collectors, a unique housewarming gift, or a meaningful addition to any collection of vintage Japanese craft and antique teaware.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Iron-rich stoneware with natural ash glaze; wood-kiln fired; kiri (paulownia) tomobako
• Use: Mizusashi -- fresh-water jar for Japanese chado (tea ceremony)
• Modern Use: Living room or shelf display in a wabi-sabi or Japandi style interior; desk organizer for brushes and small items; decorative accent on an entryway console or tea table
• Features: Cylindrical waisted body; applied lug handles; pronounced collar rim; low-domed lid with rounded knob; dramatic multi-tone ash glaze with olive, amber, and dark brown; vivid natural fire markings on unglazed base; accompanied by original inscribed tomobako with artist seal
• Dimensions: 7" Diameter x 6 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare signed studio pottery mizusashi with tomobako -- a compelling piece of Japanese antique teaware that brings authentic wabi-sabi beauty to any modern home or collection.

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.