🎎 Mid-Showa Aluminum Tokkuri – Small Sake Flask – Japan Antique Roadshow
🎎 This rare and unusually crafted Japanese tokkuri 徳利 is made not from the traditional ceramic or porcelain, but from lightweight cast aluminum—a material that became more widely used in Japan during the mid to late Showa 昭和 period (1926–1989). At 12 cm in height, 4 cm across the base, and 4.5 cm across the mouth, this flask weighs approximately 180 grams, and was likely made for personal, utilitarian, or ceremonial use.
This type of vessel shares characteristics with chirori 銚釐 or tanpo 湯婆—metal containers traditionally used to warm sake in hot water baths. While ceramic tokkuri dominate traditional tableware, aluminum was adopted during the postwar era for its durability, lightness, and ease of manufacture—making it suitable for both daily and travel use.
The flask’s form is elegant and industrial, with simple concentric rings along the body and a gently flared mouth—which appears slightly irregular, either by design or from gentle wear. The surface displays numerous scratches, scuffs, and signs of age, adding a distinctive patina that speaks to its history. Despite its compact size, the piece is expressive and full of character.
This small sake flask is a unique fusion of folk tradition and mid-century industrial design, and would make a compelling addition to any collection of Japanese antiques, mingei 民芸, or Showa-era artifacts.
Welcome to the Japan Antique Roadshow channel. My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of Japan with me. I'm available on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and via email (email address listed below) if you have questions or just want to chat and say hi. I look forward to meeting you online. Have a great day!
Curated by Kurt Bell in Shizuoka City, this aluminum tokkuri captures a fascinating moment in Japanese material culture—when the old ways met new methods, and functionality was imbued with quiet beauty.
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Quality Guarantee & Returns
- Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
- Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.
