Vintage Japanese Double Ikebana Vase Handmade Tatara Ceramic

A striking vintage Japanese ikebana vessel, handmade using tatara slab-building techniques and finished with a subtle nunome textile-like surface texture.

Created more than 30 years ago, this piece consists of two connected cylindrical vessels of different heights, forming a highly distinctive sculptural silhouette.

The taller and shorter openings allow flowers, grasses, or branches to be arranged at different levels, while the narrow space between the two forms becomes an important part of the composition.

Even without flowers, the vessel has the presence of a small abstract ceramic sculpture.

DOUBLE-VESSEL FORM

The most distinctive feature of this piece is its unusual twin-cylinder construction.

Two tubular forms of different heights rise together from a shared curved base, creating an asymmetrical architectural composition.

Tall side: approx. 15.5 cm / 6.10 in
Lower side: approx. 11.5 cm / 4.53 in

The difference in height makes the vessel particularly suited to modern ikebana and free-form arrangements, allowing separate stems or branches to interact across the two openings.

TATARA HAND-BUILDING

The vessel was handmade using tatara construction, a traditional ceramic technique in which clay is formed into slabs and then shaped and assembled by hand.

Rather than the perfect symmetry associated with wheel-thrown pottery, this method allows subtle irregularities and traces of the making process to remain visible in the finished form.

NUNOME TEXTURE

The surface features a delicate nunome, or textile-like, texture.

This fine pattern gives the dark ceramic surface additional depth and becomes especially visible when light moves across the vessel.

Combined with the handmade construction, it creates a quiet tactile quality that contrasts with the strong architectural silhouette.

DARK MATTE SURFACE

The ceramic has a restrained, dark matte appearance with subtle variations across the surface.

Rather than relying on a glossy decorative glaze, the piece emphasizes clay, texture, form, and firing character.

This understated surface works particularly well with branches, grasses, wildflowers, and other natural materials.

IKEBANA & SCULPTURAL DISPLAY

Originally created as an ikebana vessel, it is particularly suited to contemporary ikebana and free-form floral arrangements.

It can also be displayed without flowers as an abstract Japanese ceramic object.

Its compact footprint and vertical form make it suitable for a shelf, console, pedestal, alcove, or tabletop.

SIZE

Height:
Tall side: approx. 15.5 cm / 6.10 in
Lower side: approx. 11.5 cm / 4.53 in

Width: approx. 9 cm / 3.54 in
Depth: approx. 6.5 cm / 2.56 in

Material: Ceramic
Technique: Handmade tatara slab construction
Surface: Nunome textile-like texture
Origin: Japan
Age: More than 30 years old / Vintage

CONDITION

Very good vintage condition.

Despite being more than 30 years old, this piece has been very well preserved.

There may be very minor surface rubbing and subtle changes associated with age and the character of the dark ceramic surface, but no major damage is apparent.

Please refer carefully to the photographs for the exact condition.

Subtle irregularities in form, texture, and surface are characteristic of the handmade construction and are part of the character of the piece.

This is a one-of-a-kind vintage piece. The photographs show the actual item you will receive.