Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki ceramic figurine, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0408

Vintage Japanese Shigaraki Tanuki ceramic figurine, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0408

A boldly sculpted folk ceramic tanuki -- Japan's beloved good-luck raccoon dog -- rendered in richly textured stoneware with brown, grey, and green glazes.

A tanuki figurine is a traditional Japanese good-luck ornament depicting the raccoon dog of Japanese folklore, long celebrated as a symbol of prosperity, conviviality, and good fortune. Tanuki statues have stood at the entrances of shops, restaurants, and homes across Japan for centuries, greeting visitors with their characteristic wide-brimmed straw hat, swollen belly, sake flask, and walking staff -- all attributes associated with joyful abundance and an easy-going spirit. This substantial handcrafted Japanese ceramic example displays all of those classic iconographic elements: a large overhanging kasa (straw hat) glazed in warm amber-brown, a round drum-tight belly, a gourd-shaped sake bottle suspended from one paw, and a gnarled staff clutched in the other. Dense incised fur-line texturing covers the entire surface, giving the piece a lively, almost whimsical tactile quality. Painted brushwork characters appear on the lower body, a common feature on Showa-era folk tanuki adding a written blessing or virtue phrase. The hollow interior -- visible from the open underside -- and a small vent hole on the back of the hat are hallmarks of traditional Japanese folk kiln production. The rustic stoneware clay body, partially glazed in muted grey, teal, olive, and brown tones, is consistent with Japanese folk ceramic traditions of the late Showa period.

This vintage Japanese folk art figurine brings an immediate sense of warmth and cultural character to any modern interior. Displayed on a living room shelf or entryway console, it makes a striking decorative accent that invites conversation and introduces a wabi-sabi aesthetic to minimalist or Japandi-style spaces. Its generous scale -- at 14 inches tall it commands real presence -- makes it equally at home as a standalone statement piece on a mantelpiece or as a grounding element in a curated shelf vignette alongside ceramics, plants, or books. It also makes a memorable and unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics, Japanophiles, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted folk art with a sense of humor and history.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Stoneware ceramic with partial glaze in brown, grey, teal, and olive tones; hollow-formed construction with incised surface texturing
• Use: Decorative good-luck ornament for shop or home display; a traditional tanuki figurine placed at an entrance to invite prosperity and good fortune
• Modern Use: Living room accent or mantelpiece statement piece; entryway decor in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled home; unique gift for collectors of Japanese folk ceramics
• Features: Full-figure tanuki with large amber-glazed kasa (straw hat); incised fur-line texture overall; modeled sake flask and gnarled staff; prominent rounded belly; painted brushwork characters on lower body; small vent hole on back of hat; hollow open underside
• Dimensions: 10"W x 9"D x 14"H
• Condition: Excellent

A joyful and enduring piece of vintage Japanese folk ceramic art -- this tanuki figurine carries centuries of good-luck tradition into 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.