Late Edo Japanese Tamba Ware Kurikawa-Glazed Faceted Tokkuri Sake Bottle with Bo

This is an antique Japanese iron-glazed ceramic tokkuri dating approximately from the late Edo period. Based on its reddish-brown iron glaze, lightweight yet hard-fired body, and boldly altered form, it is attributed to the Tamba ware tradition. It comes with a later wooden storage box.

The vessel has a tall, slender silhouette with deep rounded facets pressed into the body, creating a sculptural and highly individual appearance. The surface is covered with a rich reddish-brown iron glaze, scattered with dark grey and black speckles.

The glaze resembles the warm chestnut-brown tones associated with kurikawa-yu, or “chestnut-skin glaze,” found on some late Edo-period Tamba wares. The body is surprisingly lightweight for its size, suggesting that it was carefully and relatively thinly formed despite its robust appearance.

The subtle distortion of the neck, irregular mouth, firing marks, glaze skips, and areas of surface loss reflect the character of traditional kiln firing and give the piece a strong wabi-sabi presence.

It was originally made as a sake bottle but may also be enjoyed today as a single-flower vase or sculptural display piece.

Dimensions

Height: 17.5 cm / 6.88 in
Width: 6.9 cm / 2.71 in
Depth: 6.9 cm / 2.71 in
Weight: 183 g / 0.40 lbs

Box Dimensions

Height: 24.7 cm / 9.72 in
Width: 9.0 cm / 3.54 in
Depth: 9.0 cm / 3.54 in

Condition

The item is in antique condition and shows signs of age and use. There is a tiny chip on the rim. The body has glaze flaking, glaze skips, small kiln adhesions, and firing irregularities. Some of these characteristics were formed during the original firing process.

The wooden storage box shows minor natural wear and appears to be later than the vessel.

Please examine the photographs carefully for the condition and details.