Another item made by the famous potters of the Satsuma region and other parts of Japan, Asia and the East are jars that are used for storing foods or precious scents. These jars have become known as Ginger Jars.
These jars come in various different sizes, from as small as 5 inches tall to over 2-3 feet tall and were used to store food items such as salt, rice, ginger and spices. They are typically smaller at the base, rising to a wider "hip" and then returning to a smaller opening at the top which is usually covered with a lid to keep the contents fresh.
As per the other items of Satsuma Pottery, the ginger jars are covered with intricate and beautiful designs, patterns and images of Japanese life, culture, plants, flowers and people.
In modern times, it is popular for the larger of the ginger jars to be turned into lamps. Due to their size and weight, the design makes a perfect lamp base to be displayed and used all over your home or office. However, it is very unlikely (or foolish) for someone to use a real antique piece in this manner. The lamps on sale are mostly in the Satsuma style, with the relevant designs and hallmarks, but not of any real value.
The smaller Satsuma Ginger Jars are more collectible than the larger ones, and jars that are highly decorated with hand painted enamel are the most sought after. Make sure you look for any damage when buying a jar and also make sure that you are buying an authentic piece, not a mass production version.
 |
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase
 Vintage Satsuma Kutani Japanese Ginger Jar Japan Peacock Floral $18.99 |
 Vintage Satsuma Ginger Jar with Peacocks and Peonies Japan C1 $32.99 |
 Satsuma Ornate Hand Painted Gilded Asian Ginger Jar w Cranes +Lid Wood Base $32.00 |
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase
 Vintage SATSUMA Ginger Jar White Gold Black Flowers Birds 55 Floral Oriental 2 $19.97 |
 Vintage JAPAN Export Longevity Yellow Porcelain Ginger Jar Satsuma HAND THROWN $49.00 |
 Japanese Satsuma crackle glaze ginger jar $16.00 |
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase
 Antique Japanese Meiji Taisho Moriage Satsuma Ginger Jar Earthenware Pottery Old $44.99 |
 Vintage Satsuma Japan Ginger Jar with Lid and Stand Floral Peacock Motif 1979 8 $20.40 |
 15 Satsuma 6 Goose Orange Peony Ginger Jar With Lid $14.99 |
3 replies on “Satsuma Ginger Jar”
trying to understand goshu blue:
The dark blue is quite distinctive and i should just be happy with that understanding. But, here’s where my confusion lies. I have a small ginger jar, which in wich is crackled and is stone ware. In the past i reading the Shimano (sp?) Clans color was blue. The ginger jar has an all blue mark which is headed by the circle and cross crest and the satsuma yaki below. The mark is very neat which makes me cause to think us might be a stamp. However there is pooling at a couple of corners and missed contacts at others. The design is very well done, a peacock among leaves and flowers. The designs is all blue, gold stripping. The possible goshu blue (darker that the rest of the blue) is heavily striped with gold making the darker distinction a bit harder to see, but the distinction is pronounced through the hand lends.
My ginger jar says satsuma underneath with 5
Then
Made in China
Does it have any value
Hi there. Unfortunately not. Original Satsuma pieces come from Japan and do not have English writing on. You have an item that is probably a mass-produced copy.