Authentic **Autumn Grass Natsume** by master **Tanaka Soryo**. This **Japanese Tea Caddy** features **Insect Makie Art** with **Raden Shell Inlay** on **Keyaki Zelkova Wood**. Including a **Signed Tomobako**, it's a perfect **Zen Tea Gift** or **Ceremonial Utensil** for **Luxury Lacquerware** and **Fine Art** collections.
An exquisite Natsume (tea caddy) hand-crafted from Japanese Zelkova (Keyaki) wood and finished with deep Tame-nuri lacquer. The piece is adorned with intricate 'Aki-no-Nanakusa' (Seven Flowers of Autumn) and small insects, accented with shimmering Raden (abalone shell) inlay.
**Basic Details** - **Artist**: Tanaka Soryo (Traditional Kaga lacquer master) - **Technique**: Tame-nuri lacquer over Zelkova wood with Raden and polychrome Makie - **Era**: Late 20th Century (Heisei Era) - **Origin**: Ishikawa Prefecture (Kaga), Japan - **Dimensions**: approx. Height 6.5 cm, Width 7.7 cm - **Box**: Original Signed Wooden Box (Tomobako) - **Condition**: Pristine condition
**Cultural & Artistic Insight** The combination of autumn grasses and insects (Mushi-ni-Akikusa) is a poetic motif representing the ephemeral beauty of the season. Raden inlay provides a jewel-like glint, mimicking the morning dew on a quiet autumn field.
**Deep-Dive Commentary** **Artistry**: Tanaka Soryo is renowned for his ability to highlight the natural grain of the wood beneath the lacquer. The Raden shells are meticulously cut and placed to catch the light from different angles. **Symbolism**: In Zen aesthetics, the sound of insects among autumn grass symbolizes the transient nature of life (Mono-no-aware), a central theme in the Japanese tea ceremony. **Usage**: As a 'Chu-natsume' (medium-sized caddy), it is the most versatile size for storing matcha. The Tame-nuri finish has a translucent depth that will only grow more beautiful with use.
*A garden of shell and gold, resting in the silence of wood.*
