Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Ceramic Figurine, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0393

Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki Ceramic Figurine, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0393

A hand-modeled folk ceramic tanuki -- Japan's beloved raccoon dog of good fortune -- richly glazed and full of rustic Showa-era character.

A tanuki figurine is a traditional Japanese lucky charm depicting the raccoon dog (tanuki), a beloved trickster spirit long associated with prosperity, good fortune, and jovial living. Ceramic tanuki have been placed at shop entrances and in homes across Japan for centuries, welcoming customers and warding off misfortune. This handcrafted Japanese folk pottery piece captures the classic iconography with wonderful vitality: a wide straw kasa hat glazed in mottled amber and brown, a rotund cream-white belly, deeply incised fur texture covering the body, and a sake flask (tokkuri) nestled in the figure's paws, accented with a trailing green vine. An auspicious phrase rendered in bold brushwork appears on the front panel, with additional inscriptions incised into the back of the hat -- a detail that speaks to the care invested by the folk kiln artisan. The unglazed dark stoneware base and the earthy, ash-touched glaze palette are consistent with mid-to-late Showa folk pottery traditions found across rural Japan.

This vintage Japanese ceramic figurine brings an instant note of warmth, folklore, and wabi-sabi aesthetic to any modern interior. Display it on a living room shelf or entryway console as a conversation-starting decorative accent, tuck it into a Japandi-style vignette alongside natural wood objects and dried botanicals, or place it in a home office as a desk accent and good-luck charm for the workday. Compact enough to fit nearly anywhere yet detailed enough to reward a close look, it makes a unique housewarming gift or a meaningful find for collectors of Japanese vintage folk art and vintage Japanese ceramics.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Hand-modeled stoneware ceramic with dark brown, cream, and green glazes; incised fur texture; unglazed dark clay base
• Use: Decorative lucky charm (tanuki figurine); traditionally displayed at shop entrances or in the home to invite good fortune
• Modern Use: Living room or entryway decorative accent; Japandi-style shelf display; unique housewarming gift or desk good-luck charm
• Features: Wide straw kasa hat in mottled amber glaze; deeply incised fur texture across the body; cream-glazed rotund belly; sake flask (tokkuri) with green vine accent held in paws; auspicious brushwork characters on front panel; additional inscriptions on the back of the hat; hollow opening in hat back; small pouch detail at lower side
• Dimensions: 5"W x 5"D x 8 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A joyful and auspicious piece of vintage Japanese folk pottery -- sure to bring good fortune and a touch of old Japan 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.