A natsume tea caddy by Hosokawa Shimitsuki. Black lacquer ground with distant mountains rendered in gold-dust gradation — toyama maki-e. The mountains dissolve at their edges into the black ground, suggesting depth without assertion. Silver interior. Signed tomobako included. Japanese lacquer natsume. Toyama motif maki-e. Yūgen landscape. Tea ceremony utensil. Chado caddy.
🔹 [ BASIC DETAILS ] Dimensions: H approx. 7.6 cm, D approx. 7.3 cm Form: Natsume (standard upright form) Condition: Good condition; lacquer intact, interior silver-toned Provenance: Original signed tomobako (dark cord, calligraphy label) SKU: 260228_a_2193
Phase C — Cultural & Artistic Insight: Toyama — distant mountains — is one of the oldest and most resonant motifs in East Asian art. Mountains that cannot be reached. Ranges that exist at the threshold of visibility. In ink painting, this was achieved through dilution and empty space. In maki-e, the lacquerer achieves it through gradation: gold dust applied thinly at the mountain's peak, dissolving into the black ground below as if the form were emerging from or returning to darkness.
Hosokawa Shimitsuki works within this tradition not to quote it but to inhabit it. The mountains on the lid are not illustrations. They are presences.
Phase D — Deep-Dive Commentary: The silver interior is not incidental. It catches light from above — from whatever is above the open natsume — and holds it briefly before the tea is placed inside. A small, private event. The maker included it.
The calligraphy on the tomobako names the piece and names the maker. What it cannot name is the particular quality of attention that went into the gradation — the number of passes, the breath held, the hand that knew when to stop.
Phase E — Shipping: Ships from Japan. Carefully packed with bubble wrap and double-boxed for safe international transit. Tracking provided on all orders. Import duties and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer. Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery. Combined shipping available — please contact us before purchasing multiple items.
🔹 [ SHIPPING & PACKAGING ] • Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days • Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking) • Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials • Insurance: Included for all shipments • Note: Import duties and taxes may apply depending on your country's regulations
