Vintage Japanese Daruma Hand Warmer Brazier - 1980s Showa Era (25D-437)

Vintage Japanese Daruma Hand Warmer Brazier (SKU 25D-437)

Showa-era ceramic hand warmer in the powerful form of Daruma, the patriarch of Zen.

This expressive vintage Japanese hand warmer, or te-aburi, is modeled as a seated Daruma with a boldly sculpted face emerging from his robe. Formed in heavy, wheel-thrown and hand-modeled clay, the piece is finished in a softly mottled glaze of straw yellow, ash white, and muted persimmon that recalls wood-fired wares. The open mouth at the back reveals the hollow interior where charcoal would once have been placed to gently warm the hands on winter days.

Daruma (Bodhidharma) is a beloved motif in Japanese folk art, symbolizing perseverance and unwavering focus—qualities perfectly captured in the intense gaze and furrowed brow of this sculpture. Signed on the base and housed in its original wooden tomobako storage box with calligraphed inscription, this Showa-era brazier now serves beautifully as a contemplative display piece, a small ikebana vessel, or an evocative accent in a wabi-sabi interior.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Showa period (20th century)
• Material: Glazed ceramic with wooden tomobako box
• Use: Traditional hand warmer brazier (te-aburi); now ideal as an art object or interior accent
• Features: Daruma motif; sculpted facial detail; softly mottled glaze; signed base; original calligraphed tomobako; vintage Japanese hand warmer form
• Dimensions: 8" Diameter x 10"H
• Condition: Excellent

A characterful piece of Showa folk craft that brings the warmth and spirit of Daruma into any Japanese-inspired space.

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 and antique 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.