Vintage Japanese Ceramic Tsubo with Ume Blossom Motif, Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0562-1

Vintage Japanese Ceramic Tsubo with Ume Blossom Motif, Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0562-1

A boldly glazed stoneware tsubo with hand-painted ume blossom motif -- presented in its original fitted wooden storage box

A tsubo is a traditional Japanese ceramic storage jar, typically wheel-thrown in stoneware and prized as much for its sculptural beauty as for its utility. This generously proportioned globular jar showcases the kind of confident, atmospheric glazing associated with skilled Showa-era studio potters: an olive-tan ash glaze at the wide, crackle-rimmed mouth graduates through mottled golden-brown at the shoulder before deepening into a dramatic speckled grey-charcoal across the lower body -- each tonal shift the result of kiln chemistry rather than brushwork, giving the surface a moody, ever-changing quality in different light. The shoulder bears a dimpled, hammered texture beneath the glaze, adding tactile depth rarely seen in production ware. Sweeping across the belly is a hand-painted ume (plum blossom) composition -- gnarled dark branches reaching upward with clusters of white blossoms each accented by a tiny red center -- a motif symbolizing perseverance and the arrival of spring, and a hallmark of vintage Japanese craft at its most evocative. An impressed potter's seal is present on the unglazed foot ring. The jar is presented with a decorative brocade fabric cover tied with a twisted cord and tassels, and retains its original inscribed paulownia wood storage box -- both hallmarks of a piece made to be treasured.

In a modern home, this tsubo makes an immediate statement as a living room accent or entryway focal point -- its earthy tones and organic silhouette a natural fit for Japandi style, wabi-sabi aesthetic, or any space that values handcrafted Japanese ceramics over mass-produced decor. Display it on a low sideboard or console with a dried branch arrangement tucked inside to echo the ume motif, or set it on a tatami-style floor mat as a standalone sculptural object. Its wide mouth also welcomes a loose cluster of fresh or dried botanicals, making it equally at home as a statement vase in a dining room or home office. Complete with its wooden box and fabric cover, it makes a meaningful and distinctive gift for collectors or Japanophiles who appreciate authentic vintage Japanese craft with genuine provenance.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware ceramic; multi-tone ash-style glaze graduating from olive-tan at the rim to speckled grey-charcoal at the base; crackle glaze on rim; unglazed foot ring with impressed potter's seal; brocade fabric cover with cord and tassels; paulownia wood storage box
• Use: Decorative display jar; traditionally used as a ceramic storage vessel (tsubo)
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; statement vase for dried or fresh botanicals; collector's display piece with original wooden box
• Features: Globular form with wide crackle-glazed mouth; dramatic multi-tone ash glaze with hammered shoulder texture; hand-painted ume (plum blossom) and branch motif with white blossoms and red accents; impressed potter's seal on base; decorative brocade fabric cover with cord and tassels; original inscribed paulownia wood storage box included
• Dimensions: 10"Diameter x 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art -- its hand-painted ume motif, atmospheric glaze, and original wooden box making it a rare find for collectors and lovers of authentic Japanese vintage decor.

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.