Vintage Japanese Blue-and-White Porcelain Tokkuri with Kuni-Ezu Province Map Decoration, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0543

Vintage Japanese Blue-and-White Porcelain Tokkuri with Kuni-Ezu Province Map Decoration, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0543

A blue-and-white porcelain sake bottle painted with a map of Japan's ancient provinces -- a rare and fascinating piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art.

A tokkuri is a traditional Japanese sake bottle used for both storing and pouring nihonshu (sake) at the table. This exceptional example belongs to a category known as kuni-ezu tokkuri -- flask-shaped bottles whose entire surface is decorated with a schematic map of Japan's old provincial territories (kuni), rendered in cobalt blue against a crisp white porcelain ground. The rectangular flask form rises to a short cylindrical neck with a blue-rimmed mouth, and every face of the body is covered in a flowing seigaiha (wave-scale) ground pattern from which white cartouches emerge, each inscribed with the name of a classical Japanese province -- among them Musashi, Sagami, Izu, Owari, Mino, Omi, and many more. This style of map-decorated ceramic draws directly from Edo-period novelty ware conventions, when geographical knowledge and regional identity were celebrated as decorative themes. Produced during the Late Showa era, the piece displays a clean, glossy glaze and finely rendered brushwork consistent with skilled mid-to-late 20th century Japanese porcelain craftsmanship. A maker's mark appears on the base in underglaze blue. As a piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art, it appeals strongly to collectors of blue-and-white Japanese pottery, Japanese cartographic history, and handcrafted Japanese sake vessels.

Thanks to its compact, upright form and striking visual design, this tokkuri translates beautifully into modern interior settings far beyond the sake table. Stand it on a living room shelf or mantelpiece as a bold decorative accent in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior, where its graphic blue-and-white palette will complement both natural wood tones and neutral linens. It works equally well as a bud vase on a home office desk or dining table sideboard, holding a single stem or small dried botanical arrangement. Its scholarly map decoration makes it a uniquely thoughtful gift for Japanophiles, history enthusiasts, or anyone with a passion for Japanese vintage ceramics and vintage world geography. A compact conversation piece that brings cultural depth and artistic refinement to any room.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration; glossy white glaze
• Use: Sake storage and serving; novelty geographic reference vessel
• Modern Use: Decorative display piece on a shelf or mantel; bud vase for a single stem or dried botanicals; unique gift for collectors of Japanese ceramics or cartographic art
• Features: Rectangular flask form with short cylindrical neck; blue-rimmed mouth; all-over seigaiha (wave-scale) ground pattern in underglaze cobalt blue; multiple white reserved cartouches inscribed with names of classical Japanese provinces (kuni); maker's mark in underglaze blue on base
• Dimensions: 3 1/4"W x 3 1/4"D x 8"H
• Condition: Excellent

A captivating piece of vintage Japanese ceramic art -- where the craft of blue-and-white porcelain meets the history of Japan painted in miniature across every surface.

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.