🎎 Handmade Ceramic Dice from Mid-Showa Japan - Japan Antique Roadshow

🎎 These humble and delightful サイコロ (saikoro, dice) are hand-formed from ceramic or fired clay, and are likely the product of Japanese folk craft from the mid-Showa 昭和 period (1950s–1970s). Each die is slightly irregular in shape with hand-painted pips—some black, some red or pink—pressed deep into the soft, unfired clay before being glazed and kiln-fired. The result is a pair of distinctly imperfect, warmly human game pieces, with all the character and individuality of Japan’s mingei 民芸 tradition.

The dice measure approximately 1.5 cm per side and weigh about 20 grams in total. Surface wear, chips, minor pitting, and staining all reflect years—if not decades—of use. These dice were likely handled often, possibly in a countryside teahouse, a public gathering hall, or even in quiet neighborhood games among friends or elders. The red one-spot (一の目, ichi-no-me) is a traditional marking style often seen in older Japanese dice, adding another touch of authenticity and regional character.

One die in this pair leans noticeably lopsided—a delightful imperfection that would be frowned upon in factory settings, but cherished in the world of folk objects. These are not precision instruments but rather pieces imbued with nostalgia, hand memory, and a strong presence of place.

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