Exquisite **Nashiji Shikunshi Natsume** by master **Yamashita Shunpo**. This **Wajima Lacquer** caddy features **Four Gentlemen Makie** (Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum) on a **Gold Nashiji Base**. Including a **Signed Tomobako**, it is a **Luxury Ceremony Utensil** for **Tea Room Decor** and **Fine Japanese Art** collectors seeking **Urushi Craft** gems.
A masterwork Natsume (tea caddy) from the prestigious Wajima tradition, crafted by Yamashita Shunpo. This piece features the 'Nashiji' (pear-skin) technique where gold flakes are suspended in lacquer, providing a brilliant backdrop for the 'Shikunshi' (Four Gentlemen) motif.
**Basic Details** - **Artist**: Yamashita Shunpo (Wajima master) - **Technique**: Wajima-nuri lacquer, Nashiji base, and polychrome gold Makie - **Motif**: Shikunshi (Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum) - **Era**: Late 20th Century (Heisei Era) - **Origin**: Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan - **Dimensions**: approx. Height 7 cm - **Box**: Original Signed Wooden Box (Tomobako) - **Condition**: Overall good condition with minor signs of usage inside
**Cultural & Artistic Insight** In East Asian art, the 'Four Gentlemen' represent the four seasons and the virtues of the noble scholar. Wajima lacquer is Japan's most durable and layered lacquerware, often taking over a year to complete the base alone before the art is applied.
**Deep-Dive Commentary** **Artistry**: Shunpo's execution of the Nashiji provides a sense of starlight beneath the surface. Each of the four plants is painted with microscopic precision, showing the strength of bamboo and the elegance of the orchid. **Material**: Wajima-nuri uses 'Jinoko' (fine mineral soil) for its base, making it incredibly resilient. The tactile feel is 'moist' and warm, characteristic of the highest quality natural Urushi. **Usage**: This caddy is appropriate for all seasons due to the Shikunshi motif. Its presence in the tea room signals a deep appreciation for the classical virtues of the tea ceremony.
*A universe of gold and seasons, held in the palm of a master potter.*
