Vintage Japanese Tsubo Stoneware Vessel with Tomobako, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0562-6

Vintage Japanese Tsubo Stoneware Vessel with Tomobako, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0562-6

A studio-crafted stoneware tsubo with a dramatic two-tone iron and green speckled glaze -- offered with its signed wooden storage box.

A tsubo is a traditional Japanese ceramic vessel with a rounded, egg-shaped body and a narrow mouth, long used in Japan for flower arrangement, decorative display, and as a prized object of the mingei (folk craft) aesthetic. This handcrafted example, dating to the Late Showa era, exemplifies the bold, earthy sensibility of Japanese studio pottery from that period. The body is glazed in a richly blended iron-brown and mottled blue-green, shifting in tone depending on the angle of light -- a quality achieved through the interplay of iron-rich and copper-bearing glazes fired at high temperature. The narrow collar mouth, generous ovoid form, and unglazed reddish clay foot ring bear the confident marks of a skilled hand. An impressed seal is visible on the base, and the piece is accompanied by a signed wooden storage box with brushed calligraphic inscription -- consistent with the tomobako tradition used by named studio potters to authenticate and title their works. The kiln and potter attribution cannot be confirmed without specialist examination, but the presence of box and seal strongly suggests a serious studio origin.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese ceramic vase makes an immediate statement as a living room accent or entryway focal point. Its deep, earthy palette pairs beautifully with Japandi style interiors, wabi-sabi aesthetic spaces, and minimalist decor -- equally at home on a timber console, a stone shelf, or a low sideboard. It is well-proportioned for displaying a single sculptural branch, a stem of dried grass, or a loose ikebana arrangement. The signed tomobako adds collector appeal and makes this a distinctive gift for Japanophiles, interior design enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese vintage ceramics.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware ceramic with iron-rich brown and mottled blue-green glaze; unglazed reddish clay foot ring
• Use: Flower vase; decorative display vessel
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; ikebana or dried floral display; collector's studio pottery piece
• Features: Ovoid tsubo form with narrow collar mouth; dramatic two-tone glaze blending deep iron-brown and speckled blue-green; unglazed foot ring with impressed seal mark on base; accompanied by signed wooden storage box with brushed calligraphic inscription (tomobako style)
• Dimensions: 8"Diameter x 13"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese studio pottery -- bold in glaze, refined in form, and rich with the quiet confidence of the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

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.