Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Figurine with Tai Fish and Toad Crown, Late Showa circa 1970s | SKU: 25S-679

Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Figurine with Tai Fish and Toad Crown, Late Showa circa 1970s | SKU: 25S-679

A bold and jovial ceramic tanuki -- Japan's beloved raccoon dog of good fortune -- clutching a prized tai fish and crowned with a cluster of lucky toads.

A tanuki is a traditional Japanese lucky figurine depicting the raccoon dog, one of the most beloved symbols of good fortune, hospitality, and prosperity in Japanese folklore. Tanuki statues have greeted visitors at the entrances of homes, restaurants, and shops for centuries, their rotund bellies and mischievous grins said to promise abundance and warmth to all who pass. This outstanding handcrafted Japanese ceramic tanuki from the 1970s Late Showa era is rendered with exceptional sculptural detail -- richly textured fur incised across the dark-glazed body, a luminous cream-glazed belly with subtle surface modeling, and a vivid orange-red tai (sea bream) fish cradled in the figure's paws on a twisted rope. The tai is itself a powerful symbol of celebration and good luck in Japanese culture. Perched atop the tanuki's head is a cluster of small toad figures, adding another layer of folkloric charm. A painted cartouche on the side bears brushwork script, consistent with a maker's or studio mark. The piece exemplifies the warm, expressive tradition of vintage Japanese craft ceramic sculpture produced during Japan's postwar cultural renaissance.

In a modern home, this striking tanuki statue commands attention as a living room accent or entryway focal point -- precisely the role it was born to play. Place it beside a front door to welcome guests in classic Japanese style, or display it on a console, bookshelf, or garden step as a bold wabi-sabi aesthetic statement. Its substantial size and lively polychrome palette make it equally at home in a Japandi style interior alongside natural textiles and timber furniture. It also makes a genuinely memorable housewarming gift or a standout addition to any collection of Japanese vintage ceramics and folk art.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa), circa 1970s
• Material: Glazed ceramic with polychrome underglaze decoration; rope accent detail
• Use: Decorative lucky figurine; traditionally placed at entrances of homes and businesses to invite good fortune
• Modern Use: Entryway or porch accent figure; living room statement sculpture; housewarming gift for collectors or Japanophiles
• Features: Finely incised fur texture across the dark-glazed body; creamy glazed rounded belly; vivid orange-red tai fish with detailed scale and fin relief; cluster of small toad figures atop the head; twisted rope detail; painted brushwork cartouche on the side; substantial sculptural form with a stable oval base
• Dimensions: 34" H
• Condition: Excellent

A joyful and auspicious piece of vintage Japanese ceramic folk art -- sure to bring good fortune and character to any modern home or collection.

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.