Antique Saki Raccoon Dog

Details

Description

n antique Japanese saki raccoon dog bottle is a rare and culturally rich collectible that merges functional pottery with the … Read more n antique Japanese saki raccoon dog bottle is a rare and culturally rich collectible that merges functional pottery with the symbolic artistry of Japanese folklore. These bottles, often crafted in the likeness of the tanuki—Japan’s mythical raccoon dog—were both decorative and utilitarian, embodying charm, humor, and craftsmanship from Japan’s ceramic traditions.

Historical Background

During the late Meiji (1868–1912) through early Showa period (1926–1989), Japanese artisans, particularly from Shigaraki and Seto pottery regions, produced tanuki-themed sake bottles and flasks. These pieces celebrated the tanuki’s folkloric role as a shapeshifting trickster and bringer of good fortune.

Unlike the larger garden statues, these bottles were functional vessels, designed to hold sake or serve as novelty gifts, often used in inns, taverns, or during festivals. See less