This Sake bottle is a fine example of Karatsu ware, a traditional Japanese pottery style rooted in Saga Prefecture. With its earthy tones and natural glaze, this Tokkuri embodies the rustic elegance and understated charm that define the wabi-sabi aesthetic.
The hand-crafted form and subtle imperfections tell the story of centuries-old craftsmanship. Ideal for sake service, interior display, or as part of a curated Japanese ceramics collection.
Good piece.
H 12.8 cm x W 7.8 - 8.7 cm / 265g
Holds 320ml.
Good condition ★★★☆☆
No chips, No cracks.
About Karatsu Ware
Karatsu ware is one of Japan’s oldest and most revered ceramic traditions, originating in the late 16th century through the influence of Korean potters brought to Japan during the Imjin War. Produced in the Karatsu region of Saga Prefecture, it quickly gained favor among tea practitioners for its quiet, natural character.
Unlike porcelain, Karatsu ware uses coarse, iron-rich clay with high porosity, allowing for richly expressive glazes. Typical types include E-karatsu (painted), Madara-karatsu (speckled), Chosen-karatsu (with runny ash glaze), and Muji-karatsu (plain glazed), each developed to complement everyday use and the aesthetics of imperfection.
Rather than being kiln-polished, Karatsu pieces are often fired in climbing kilns (noborigama), where natural ash effects and uneven glaze distribution are embraced as marks of authenticity. Its forms are made for use—sake bottles, tea bowls, storage jars—and reveal the philosophy of function before ornament.
