Each symbol on this little flask is a wish for its owner — a promise of good luck, prosperity, and new beginnings, painted by hand and raised in gold moriage.
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Maker: Unmarked
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Materials: Porcelain, hand-painted with gold accents and moriage
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Dimensions: 6.0" tall, approx. 2.5" diameter at widest point, 1.0" diameter top opening
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Origin: Japan (estimated)
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Era: Vintage, 1980s (estimated)
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Condition: Excellent — no chips, cracks, or scratches. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.
Each symbol is rendered in a circular medallion, and once you know what they mean, this becomes one of the most meaningful gifts in the shop. Yukiwa — the blue circle — is a "good sign," a promise that something wonderful is on its way. Hishi — the circle with red and green diamonds — stands for generativity, caring for the elderly and the children, and prosperity. Cherry blossoms represent new beginnings, pines symbolize success and opportunity, and what appears to be bamboo speaks to resilience and strength. It is marked on the bottom with a traditional red square stamp, though the maker remains unidentified.
A wonderful gift for a sake lover, a Japan enthusiast, or anyone embarking on a new chapter — equally at home on a bar, a bookshelf, or a meditation space.
Moriage — the raised, sculptural gold and white decoration seen here — is a traditional Japanese ceramic technique in which slip is built up in layers to create texture before firing, a hallmark of fine hand-decorated porcelain.
See more Japanese sake decanters in our collection.
