Vintage Japanese Ceramic Kabin Flower Vase with Fish Motifs and Tomobako, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0450

Vintage Japanese Ceramic Kabin Flower Vase with Fish Motifs and Tomobako, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0450

A boldly glazed studio ceramic kabin with expressive fish motifs and original tomobako -- a rare find for collectors of vintage Japanese craft.

A kabin is a traditional Japanese flower vase designed to hold ikebana arrangements, those carefully composed floral displays that celebrate the beauty of negative space and seasonal nature. This striking example features a full, ovoid body rising to a short, gently constricted neck -- a classic silhouette well suited to single-stem or spare ikebana compositions. The entire surface is enveloped in a deep, iron-rich red-brown glaze that shifts in tone from warm russet to cooler matte bronze depending on the light, with horizontal banded accents near the neck and foot adding quiet structure. Painted in dark grey-black iron pigment directly onto the glaze, lively fish motifs swim freely around the belly of the vase, their scaled bodies and expressive eyes rendered with the loose, confident brushwork characteristic of mingei-influenced studio ceramics of the late Showa period. The flat, unglazed foot ring reveals a smooth pale clay body and bears an impressed maker's seal, confirming this as a signed studio work. The vase is accompanied by its original tomobako -- a brush-inscribed wooden storage box -- which adds significant collector and display value to the piece.

In a modern home, this kabin vase works beautifully as a standalone living room accent or bedroom decor centerpiece, displayed empty to let the rich glaze and painted fish motifs speak for themselves. Its compact, generous form makes it equally suited to holding a single dramatic stem or a small seasonal arrangement on a console table or entryway shelf. Fans of Japandi style and wabi-sabi aesthetic will appreciate the unpretentious earthiness of the glaze surface, the handmade irregularities in the foot, and the expressive folk-art energy of the fish design. With its tomobako and maker's seal intact, this is also a compelling gift for collectors or a memorable housewarming gift for anyone who appreciates handcrafted Japanese vintage ceramics.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Ceramic with deep iron-red glaze; pale unglazed foot ring; impressed maker's seal on base
• Use: Ikebana flower vase (kabin); decorative display vessel
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway accent vase; bedroom decor with a single dried or fresh stem; collector's display piece alongside tomobako
• Features: Globular ovoid body with short narrow neck; rich red-brown iron glaze overall; dark iron-pigment fish motifs encircling the body; horizontal banded accents at neck and foot; impressed maker's seal on flat unglazed foot; includes original brush-inscribed tomobako (wooden storage box)
• Dimensions: 7 1/2"Diameter x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A richly glazed piece of vintage Japanese studio ceramics -- where the wabi-sabi aesthetic, folk-art spirit, and collector provenance of a signed kabin come together in one enduring object.

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.