Vintage Japanese Glass Fishing Float with Original Knotted Net Harness, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0372-3

Vintage Japanese Glass Fishing Float with Original Knotted Net Harness, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0372-3

A large seafaring glass buoy in its original knotted net -- a rare and striking piece of vintage Japanese maritime folk craft.

A glass fishing float, known in Japan as a uki (buoy), is a hollow glass sphere used by fishermen to keep nets and long lines suspended at the correct depth in open water. Produced widely across Japan from the Meiji era through the Showa period, these floats were hand-formed from recycled glass and sealed airtight to achieve buoyancy. By the late Showa era, larger floats like this example -- well over a foot in diameter -- were deployed on deep-sea gill nets and squid-fishing lines, where their substantial lift was essential. The characteristic sea-green tint of the glass, the result of iron content in the recycled cullet, gives each float its distinctive color. This example retains its full original knotted net harness, gathered and secured at the neck with a metal wire ring, allowing the float to be tied directly to fishing lines. The surface of the glass shows the gentle age patina and faint surface marking consistent with genuine working use, making it a prized find among collectors of vintage Japanese craft and maritime vintage pieces.

Today, large glass fishing floats have become sought-after decorative objects valued for the wabi-sabi aesthetic they naturally embody -- imperfect, weathered, and deeply evocative of the sea. Display this piece on a entry console, a living room floor, or a bookshelf as a bold coastal statement in a Japandi style interior. Its substantial size and glowing translucent green glass make it equally at home as an outdoor garden accent nestled among stones or driftwood. It also makes a truly unique housewarming gift or gift for collectors drawn to vintage Japanese craft and maritime history. Few objects carry the same quiet drama -- the sense of vast ocean distances traveled -- as an original glass float still cradled in its working net.

• Origin: Japan (likely)
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Sea-green glass sphere; knotted synthetic fiber net; metal wire ring fastening at neck
• Use: Fishing net buoy -- deployed at sea to keep nets and lines at proper depth
• Modern Use: Coastal living room accent or floor display; garden or entryway decorative object; unique housewarming gift for collectors of vintage Japanese maritime craft
• Features: Large spherical glass float in deep sea-green; fully enclosed in original knotted net harness; gathered neck secured with metal wire ring; age patina and surface character consistent with genuine use; net shows mixed fiber construction typical of late Showa production
• Dimensions: 12 1/2"Diameter x 16"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautiful survivor of Japan's working sea culture -- this vintage glass fishing float brings coastal history, wabi-sabi charm, and rare decorative presence 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.