Vintage Japanese Glass Fishing Float Ukidama with Rope Netting, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0372-2

Vintage Japanese Glass Fishing Float Ukidama with Rope Netting, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0372-2

A pale aqua blown-glass buoy float in its original hand-knotted rope netting -- a genuine relic of Japan's working fishing coast.

An ukidama is a traditional Japanese glass fishing float, hand-blown and used by fishermen to buoy nets and longlines at sea. Produced widely throughout the Showa era before plastic floats rendered them obsolete, these spherical glass balls were made in factories across Japan's coastal regions, each sealed at the stem with an embossed maker's mark that identified the manufacturer. This example displays the characteristic pale aqua-green tint of period Japanese blown glass, its surface carrying the subtle irregularities -- faint swirl lines and tiny air inclusions -- that are the natural signature of handcrafted Japanese glasswork. The embossed seal button is clearly visible on the stem, adding to its authenticity as a piece of vintage Japanese craft and maritime history.

Today, vintage ukidama glass floats are among the most sought-after pieces of Japanese coastal decor, beloved for the warm, luminous glow they cast when placed near a light source. This float retains its aged rope netting complete with a gathered hanging loop at the top, making it ready to display immediately -- suspend it in a window as a living room accent, arrange it in a cluster on a shelf for a nautical or wabi-sabi aesthetic, or use it as a statement centerpiece on a dining or entryway console. Its organic textures and sea-weathered character make it a wonderful housewarming gift or a standout addition to any collector of Japanese vintage objects and coastal curiosities.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Hand-blown pale aqua-green glass; natural fiber rope netting
• Use: Fishing net buoy float for use at sea
• Modern Use: Hanging window or ceiling accent; coastal living room decor; shelf or tabletop display piece
• Features: Spherical blown-glass body with pale aqua tint; embossed maker's mark on glass stem button; complete hand-knotted rope net with gathered hanging loop at top; aged patina consistent with use and era
• Dimensions: 9 1/2"Diameter x 9 1/2"H
• Condition: Good -- glass intact with no cracks; rope netting complete and aged; surface grime consistent with age and use

A rare survivor of Japan's handcrafted fishing heritage -- this vintage ukidama glass float brings authentic coastal character and quiet wabi-sabi beauty to 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 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.