VINTAGE JAPANESE CAST-IRON DISH

I have a decorative Japanese cast-iron shallow bowl/dish/planter?? Has anyone any idea what this is actually used for and called? Is it Ikebana related of possibly cooking? It measures 12" diameter and 2 1/2" deep. Thanks

Could it be a Nabe? For cooking Sukiyaki. I found this one, which lists as vintage (looks new). Mine has a similar look to it, but how old? Mine with stylised lotus leaf motifs and some age - Mid 20th C. or maybe earlier??

I did look at your images earlier and it didn't look like anything that might be used in, say, the tea ceremony or similar and so it could be a one pot cooking dish. With something like this that will have changed little over time, the remains of the paper label is going to be the best indication of how old it is. If I had to guess I wouldn't think it was earlier than the 1960s because of our relationship with Japan in the earlier part of the century.

I think it is more than likely a cooking dish. It has a smooth inner surface which would work well and handles to move when hot maybe. I agree with you, it must date to the 50s / 60s... Could it be earlier? I love the simplicity of design, even looks a bit Arts and Crafts.