VINTAGE Japanese Bunbuku Chagama Tanuki Ceramic Tokkuri Sake Bottle – Folk Pottery Lucky Sake Vessel

Dimensions (Size):
Approx. 13 × 8.5 cm

Material (Made of):
Ceramic / pottery

Condition / Damages:
Vintage condition with minor signs of age and use 

Detailed Description:

This charming vintage Japanese ceramic sake vessel is a traditional tokkuri inspired by the famous Japanese folktale Bunbuku Chagama (ぶんぶく茶釜 / 分福茶釜). The story tells of a tanuki, a Japanese raccoon dog, who transforms into a tea kettle, making this motif one of Japan’s beloved symbols of folklore, humor, good fortune, and transformation.

The vessel is shaped in a whimsical tanuki-like form, with a rounded body, expressive face, small feet, and a rustic hand-formed silhouette. The vertical opening at the back functions as the mouth of the tokkuri, while the front spout-like form is part of the sculptural Bunbuku Chagama design. This type of piece belongs to the world of traditional Japanese sake ware, often appreciated both as a functional sake bottle and as a decorative lucky object.

In Japanese culture, tanuki are often associated with good luck, prosperity, business success, humor, and playful transformation. They are also commonly connected with sake culture and are frequently seen holding or appearing beside sake bottles in traditional ceramic figures and shop displays. Hakushika notes that tanuki are a familiar character in Japanese culture and are commonly shown with a tokkuri, especially in places connected with sake.

Important Notice

The items are pre-owned, so please note that they may have small stains or imperfections that we may not have noticed.

We are a company with an official state permit, known as Kobutsu Sho, for trading second-hand goods. All products are authentic and sold in accordance with Japanese law.