Antique Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Tokkuri with Grass Motif 10"

Antique Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Tokkuri with Grass Motif

Japan, late Edo to early Meiji period (circa 1850s–1870s)
Dimensions: 10″H × 5.5″W × 5.5″D (25.4 × 14 × 14 cm)

This antique Japanese blue-and-white porcelain vessel is formed as a classic tokkuri sake bottle, with a rounded globular body rising to a tall, narrow neck and gently flared mouth. The surface is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue on a softly toned, slightly grayish white ground, showing the warmth and irregularity typical of pre-industrial kiln production. The form and glaze suggest a functional object originally intended for sake service, though its scale and presence also lend themselves well to display as a small vase.

The painted decoration features freely brushed grasses emerging from stylized rocks, rendered with confident, fluid strokes that emphasize movement and asymmetry. The composition reflects literati-inspired aesthetics and seasonal imagery common in late Edo period ceramics, where plants symbolized resilience and quiet vitality. The restrained palette and spontaneous brushwork place the emphasis on gesture and rhythm rather than strict realism, aligning with traditional Japanese sensibilities of balance and impermanence.

Tokkuri of this type were everyday objects in Japanese dining culture, used to warm and pour sake, yet examples with such expressive painting often bridged the line between utility and artistic expression. The softly potted body, uneven foot ring, and subtle glaze pooling point to regional workshop production rather than later factory wares, reinforcing an early date.

Collectors value these earlier blue-and-white vessels for their honest materials, visible handwork, and painterly surfaces that differ markedly from later, more standardized Meiji export porcelain. The absence of a base mark is consistent with domestic wares of the period and does not detract from the piece’s authenticity or charm.

Whether displayed on its own, used as a rustic vase, or incorporated into a broader collection of Japanese ceramics, this tokkuri offers a quiet but compelling presence rooted in everyday life and traditional craftsmanship.

Condition: General age-appropriate wear with kiln grit, firing specks, and glaze variation throughout; small glaze losses and wear to the foot ring and rim consistent with use; no cracks or repairs observed.

A strong example of early Japanese blue-and-white pottery, appealing to collectors of Edo–Meiji ceramics and those drawn to understated, expressive forms for display or interior décor.