Antique Meiji Japanese Kayoi Tokkuri Sake Bottle Kumejima Awamori 28cm

This authentic Meiji-era Japanese Kayoi Tokkuri sake bottle is a rare survivor of everyday liquor culture from late 19th–early 20th century Japan. Sourced from a Japanese Government Antique Auction, this piece was used by a specific Okinawan liquor shop to sell and refill awamori for local customers.

The bold hand-painted calligraphy reads 「久米島 酒」 – “Kumejima Sake”, referencing the famous Kumejima island in Okinawa, renowned for its long tradition of awamori rice spirit production.

Kayoi Tokkuri (通い徳利) were returnable bottles rented from liquor stores and brought back repeatedly for refilling. Each bottle carried the store’s name, price, or volume information — making every example a unique historical document of Japan’s lost merchant culture.

The deep cobalt blue brushwork, thick porcelain body, and original cord-wrapped neck reflect classic Mingei folk pottery values — functional beauty created for everyday life.

✅ Product Highlights
✅ Authentic Meiji-era Kayoi Tokkuri (通い徳利)
✅ Hand-painted “Kumejima Sake” Okinawan calligraphy
✅ Used by a specific liquor shop for awamori refills
✅ Blue & white glazed folk pottery – Mingei style
✅ Traditional cord-wrapped neck detail
✅ Tall decorative size – approx. 28 cm
✅ Sourced from Japanese Government Antique Auction
✅ Rare utilitarian artifact from Japan’s liquor history

📏 Approximate Details
• Era: Late 19th – Early 20th Century (Meiji to Early Showa)
• Height: approx. 28 cm
• Material: Glazed ceramic / porcelain
• Origin: Japan – Okinawa (Kumejima)
• Condition: Antique condition with natural wear, glaze irregularities and age patina

🏮 Cultural Background
Before modern bottling, sake and awamori were sold by volume using reusable Kayoi Tokkuri. Customers returned these bottles to be refilled, and each shop commissioned unique designs to identify their business. Very few survive today with legible calligraphy and original shop markings.

This bottle is not only a vessel — it is a piece of Japan’s vanished everyday life.

📢 Important Shipping Policy Update
To ensure safe delivery, we currently ship one item per order only.
Orders with multiple items may be canceled and refunded. Once your item arrives safely, you’re welcome to place another order.

📦 Condition
Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the item description. Dimensions and additional details are provided in the images.