{"product_id":"gold-maki-e-lacquer-hira-natsume-tea-caddy-chrysanthemum-paulownia-yamazaki-joetsu-japan","title":"Gold Maki-e Lacquer Hira-Natsume Tea Caddy – Chrysanthemum Paulownia – Yamazaki Joetsu – Japan","description":"Experience Authentic Japanese Lacquer Art with this Gold Maki-e Hira-Natsume. This Japanese Tea Caddy serves as an exquisite Lacquer Tea Container and Kiku Paulownia Maki-e piece, featuring Black Lacquer Natsume craftsmanship and Chado Tea Ceremony heritage—a must-have for any Tea Ceremony Collector. This Urushi Art Object by Yamazaki Joetsu embodies the refined tradition of Japanese Gold Lacquerwork, perfect as a Zen Decor Accent for the discerning collector.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ BASIC DETAILS ]\u003cbr\u003e• Artist: Yamazaki Joetsu (山崎如悦)\u003cbr\u003e• Technique: Gold maki-e (sprinkled gold lacquer) on black urushi ground\u003cbr\u003e• Era: Contemporary\u003cbr\u003e• Origin: Japan\u003cbr\u003e• Form: Hira-natsume (flat tea caddy)\u003cbr\u003e• Dimensions: Height approx. 5.5 cm, Width approx. 8.5 cm\u003cbr\u003e• Weight: 99 g\u003cbr\u003e• Box: Signed wooden box (共箱) with shared cloth (共布)\u003cbr\u003e• Condition: Excellent — flawless black lacquer surface with crisp, luminous maki-e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ Cultural \u0026amp; Artistic Insight ]\u003cbr\u003eThe hira-natsume occupies a distinctive place in the hierarchy of tea caddies. Its low, flat silhouette was developed for use in specific temae (tea procedures), where the host's hand sweeps across the lid in a single horizontal gesture — a motion that demands an unbroken lacquer surface. The chrysanthemum (kiku) and paulownia (kiri) pairing is among the most auspicious in Japanese decorative vocabulary: kiku symbolizes longevity and imperial grace, while kiri — once reserved for the highest ranks — signifies nobility and autumn's quiet dignity. Together on a single vessel, they speak not of decoration but of cultural memory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*Gold dust settles into black silence — centuries of ceremony, held in the palm of one hand.*\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ Deep-Dive Commentary ]\u003cbr\u003eMaki-e is the pinnacle of Japanese lacquer art, a technique in which gold or silver powder is sprinkled onto wet urushi lacquer and then sealed beneath additional transparent layers. The process demands extraordinary patience: each layer must cure in controlled humidity for days before the next can be applied. A single hira-natsume of this quality may require weeks of layered work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe flat form (hira) is particularly challenging for the maki-e artist. Unlike a tall natsume where designs can flow vertically, the hira-natsume presents a broad, exposed lid — every stroke is visible, every line must resolve within a compressed canvas. Yamazaki Joetsu demonstrates confident control here, distributing the chrysanthemum blossoms and paulownia leaves with asymmetric balance that draws the eye without crowding the surface.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe interior finish and the quality of the lid's fit (awase) are telltale markers of a skilled lacquer artisan. In this piece, the seamless contact between lid and body ensures an airtight seal — essential for preserving the delicate aroma of matcha. The inclusion of a signed wooden box (tomobako) confirms the artist's direct involvement and authentication.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor collectors, a hira-natsume by a recognized maki-e artist represents both functional tea utensil and standalone lacquer art — a dual identity that few craft traditions achieve.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ 日本語解説 ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e【基本情報】\u003cbr\u003e• 作家：山崎如悦\u003cbr\u003e• 技法：黒漆地に金蒔絵（菊桐文様）\u003cbr\u003e• 形状：平棗\u003cbr\u003e• 寸法：高さ約5.5cm、幅約8.5cm\u003cbr\u003e• 重量：99g\u003cbr\u003e• 付属：共箱・共布\u003cbr\u003e• 状態：極めて良好。黒漆面に瑕疵なく、蒔絵の輝きも鮮明\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e【文化的背景と芸術的考察】\u003cbr\u003e平棗は、茶道具の棗の中でも独特の位置を占める形状である。その低く平らな姿は、特定の点前において蓋を水平に払う所作を求められ、途切れのない漆面が不可欠となる。菊と桐の取り合わせは、日本の装飾意匠において最も格の高い組み合わせの一つであり、菊は長寿と皇室の雅を、桐は高貴と秋の静謐を象徴する。\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e蒔絵は日本漆芸の最高峰に位置する技法であり、湿った漆の上に金銀粉を蒔き、さらに透漆で封じ込めて研ぎ出す。一つの平棗を仕上げるには、各層の乾燥に数日を要し、全工程で数週間を費やすこともある。平棗は蓋の面積が広く、蒔絵師にとって一切の筆致が露わになる難度の高い形状である。山崎如悦はここに菊花と桐葉を非対称の均衡で配し、余白を活かした構図で見る者の眼を導いている。蓋と身の合わせ（あわせ）の精度は漆芸家の力量を如実に示すものであり、本作の密封性は抹茶の繊細な香りを保つに十分である。\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ SHIPPING \u0026amp; PACKAGING ]\u003cbr\u003e• Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days\u003cbr\u003e• Carrier: Japan Post EMS \/ UPS (with tracking)\u003cbr\u003e• Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials","brand":"The Modern Zen Archive","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61732507386226,"sku":"260402_a_2610","price":1350.0,"currency_code":"AED","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/5680\/3698\/files\/m92405255603_1.jpg?v=1775137549","url":"https:\/\/checkout.themodernzenarchive.com\/products\/gold-maki-e-lacquer-hira-natsume-tea-caddy-chrysanthemum-paulownia-yamazaki-joetsu-japan","provider":"The Modern Zen Archive","version":"1.0","type":"link"}