Arita hyōtan sake bottle (瓢箪徳利) | 27 cm

This sculptural Arita sake bottle in hyōtan form combines refined Japanese porcelain with rich cultural symbolism. The elegant double-gourd shape, hand-painted floral decoration and original tomobako elevate this piece beyond a functional object, transforming it into an aesthetic work of art from the mid-Shōwa period.

Thanks to the preserved wooden box and original leaflet, this piece can be dated with unusual precision to the late 1950s to mid-1960s. It was issued by the Arita trading house Morinaga Yūgyokudō and presented as "artistic Arita porcelain", indicating a high-quality workshop object originally intended as a luxury gift or ceremonial piece.

In Japanese culture, the hyōtan (gourd) symbolizes good fortune, protection and prosperity. Combined with the subtle sometsuke decoration and ceremonial finishing with a wooden stopper and silk cord, this sake bottle represents an exceptional example of mid-century Arita porcelain. A rare sculptural object of both aesthetic and cultural significance.

Dimensions

Height: 27 cm
Weight: 1758 g
Signature: hand-painted Arita mark on the base

Want to learn more about the meaning and origins of Japanese ceramics? Explore the Tamashii Guide.

Each vintage piece in our collection has a story and carries traces of its past. We invite you to carefully review the photos for an honest impression of the condition and any signs of use.