Vintage Japanese Ceramic Flower Vase (Hanabijn), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0551

Vintage Japanese Ceramic Flower Vase (Hanabijn), Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26J-0551

A squat, wheel-thrown stoneware vase with dramatic drip glaze and applied loop handles -- mingei-inspired Japanese vintage ceramic craft at its most expressive.

A hanabijn (hana-bin) is a traditional Japanese flower vase intended for ikebana arranging or everyday decorative use. This handsome example is wheel-thrown from iron-rich stoneware clay, its wide, rounded belly tapering to a broad flat base and a compact open mouth -- a form well suited to low, spreading floral compositions. The upper shoulder is glazed with a richly pooled mixture of deep cobalt blue, aubergine purple, dark brown, and flashes of white, applied in a loose, expressive manner that allows the glaze to drip freely down the ribbed body. The lower half retains the warm, unglazed terracotta surface of the raw clay, letting the wheel-thrown horizontal ridges read clearly as a textural counterpoint to the glossy upper glaze. Applied loop handles on the shoulder add sculptural dimension and are consistent with mingei folk-craft aesthetics that valued handmade vitality over precise finish. This is a confident piece of vintage Japanese craft pottery with genuine studio character.

In a modern home, this vase is as versatile as it is eye-catching. Its low, wide silhouette makes it ideal as a living room accent piece on a coffee table or sideboard, holding a simple arrangement of dried pampas grass, fresh wildflowers, or seasonal branches in the wabi-sabi aesthetic. It also works beautifully as a desktop or entryway statement object -- displayed empty, it reads as sculpture in its own right. Gardening enthusiasts may use it as an indoor planter for a compact succulent or trailing vine, adding an earthy, Japandi-style touch to a windowsill or bookshelf. A thoughtful and distinctive housewarming gift for collectors of Japanese ceramics or admirers of mingei folk craft.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Iron-rich stoneware ceramic; partially glazed with drip glaze in cobalt blue, aubergine, dark brown, and white over unglazed terracotta clay body
• Use: Flower vase (hanabijn); suitable for ikebana or decorative floral arrangements
• Modern Use: Living room accent or centerpiece with dried or fresh botanicals; indoor planter for compact succulents or trailing plants; sculptural decorative object on an entryway console or bookshelf
• Features: Squat rounded form; horizontal wheel-thrown ribbing across the full body; expressive drip glaze pooled heavily on upper shoulder; applied loop handles on opposing sides of the shoulder; wide open mouth; unglazed base and lower body; mingei folk-craft character
• Dimensions: 9 1/2"W x 9"D x 6"H
• Condition: Excellent

A striking piece of vintage Japanese ceramic craft -- earthy, expressive, and full of wabi-sabi character that brings warmth and artisan spirit to any modern interior.

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.