Tsuboya-yaki Hand-Painted Fish Motif Sake Flask

A charming two-necked ceramic flask from the Tsuboya ware tradition of Okinawa, featuring a hand-painted fish swimming through stylized wave (seigaiha-style) patterns in cobalt blue and iron-brown, with warm amber accents on the fish’s fins and tail. The wide, flattened body sits on a narrow unglazed footring, with one tall neck fitted with a tenmoku-glazed (dark brown/black) cup-like rim and a second slender pouring spout to the side. The base bears a hand-painted character mark, consistent with traditional Tsuboya folk pottery (mingei).

A striking decorative piece — well suited as a display flask, sake vessel, or standalone ceramic art object with genuine Okinawan craft character.

Details:

• Origin: Tsuboya-yaki, Okinawa, Japan

• Form: dual-necked flask/ewer — wide pouring spout + tall neck with tenmoku rim

• Decoration: hand-painted fish and wave motif in cobalt blue, iron-brown, and amber

• Glaze: cream/ivory ground with crackle glaze, dark tenmoku glaze on rim

• Marking: hand-painted character mark on unglazed footring

• Condition: Good vintage/secondhand condition overall. A small chip noted to the rim of the tenmoku-glazed neck (see photo) — otherwise no cracks; natural crazing consistent with age.

• Dimensions: (L) ~9cm x (H) 10.3cm