Vintage Japanese Imari-Style Porcelain Tokkuri Sake Flask, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0498-1

Vintage Japanese Imari-Style Porcelain Tokkuri Sake Flask, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0498-1

A commemorative Imari-style porcelain tokkuri, hand-painted in cobalt blue, iron red, and gilt -- a rare keepsake from mid-20th century Japan.

A tokkuri is a traditional Japanese sake flask used to warm and serve sake at the table, typically paired with small ochoko cups. This particular piece goes well beyond everyday utility -- it was produced as a commemorative gift item, bearing celebratory inscriptions in gold lettering that suggest it marked a significant occasion, possibly a public ceremony or civic milestone. The elegant, elongated neck is rimmed in bright gold and painted along its full length with a repeating spiral and chrysanthemum scroll in underglaze cobalt blue -- a hallmark of the Imari-style palette. The bulbous ovoid body showcases hand-painted scenes on white ground: a windswept pine tree with gold chrysanthemums on one face, and a dynamic figurative scene rendered in swirling blue waves and iron red accents on the other. The lower body is banded with a striking geometric key-fret pattern in blue and gold, while a maker's mark in brown and gold appears on the unglazed foot rim. This is a fine example of vintage Japanese ceramic craft at its most decorative.

Today, this beautifully proportioned tokkuri makes a compelling standalone display piece for any modern interior. Stood upright on a shelf or mantle, its vivid Imari-style palette and elegant silhouette bring a bold living room accent to Japandi-style or minimalist decor. Its narrow neck also makes it perfectly suited as a bud vase -- a single stem of cherry blossom or dried pampas grass slipped inside transforms it into an instant ikebana-inspired arrangement for a bedroom or home office. With its commemorative inscriptions and handcrafted character, it also makes a meaningful and unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics or Japanophiles who appreciate the art of the Showa era.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue, overglaze iron red, and gilt decoration; Imari-style palette
• Use: Sake serving flask (tokkuri); produced as a commemorative gift piece
• Modern Use: Decorative bud vase; living room or shelf accent; unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics
• Features: Elongated narrow neck with gold rim; bulbous ovoid body; spiral and chrysanthemum scroll on neck; hand-painted pine tree and floral scene in blue and gold on one face; figurative scene in swirling waves with iron red accents on reverse; geometric key-fret band in blue and gold on lower body; celebratory gold inscriptions; maker's mark on unglazed foot rim
• Dimensions: 3 3/4"Diameter x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A rare and joyful piece of vintage Japanese ceramic craft -- handpainted in the Imari tradition and carrying the spirit of celebration 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.