A tokufū natsume tea caddy by Chisei, bearing the Zen phrase ichiryu manbai in bold gold maki-e calligraphy — "one grain yields ten thousand fold." This Gengensai-gonomi piece channels the 11th Urasenke iemoto's vision through deep black urushi lacquer and the weight of a single Buddhist proverb. A Japanese tea ceremony vessel where calligraphy becomes the entire landscape.
The tokufū ("wind of virtue") form sits lower and wider than a standard natsume, a shape Gengensai favored for its groundedness. Deep glossy black lacquer serves as the field — unhurried, absolute — against which the gold calligraphy asserts itself with the confidence of a single breath. Ichiryu manbai carries karmic resonance: the teaching that every small act contains infinite potential.
Chisei's brushwork in gold maki-e translates calligraphic energy into lacquer with controlled force. Each stroke retains the momentum of ink on paper, fixed now in gold against black ground.
Presented in tomobako (artist-signed wooden box) inscribed "Gengensai-gonomi Tokufū Natsume — Chisei" with seal. Includes cloth bag (shifuku) for storage and transport.
▪ Artist: Chisei (智斉), lacquer artisan ▪ Tradition: Gengensai-gonomi utsushi (11th Urasenke iemoto) ▪ Technique: Black urushi with gold maki-e calligraphy ▪ Inscription: 一粒万倍 — Ichiryu Manbai (Zen/Buddhist proverb) ▪ Form: Tokufū ("wind of virtue") ▪ Dimensions: W7.8cm × H5.5cm, 58g ▪ Includes: Tomobako with seal, cloth bag (shifuku) ▪ Era: Showa–Heisei period ▪ Condition: Excellent — consistent with careful ceremonial use
🔹 [ SHIPPING & PACKAGING ] • Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days • Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking) • Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials
