Takeuchi Kosai Kodaiji Maki-e Chu-Natsume | Kiri Kiku Lacquer Tea Caddy

A black lacquer tea caddy that carries the full weight of Momoyama elegance — the gold paulownia and chrysanthemum drawn in Kodaiji maki-e do not decorate. They declare.

This chu-natsume by Takeuchi Kosai embodies the Kodaiji maki-e tradition: bold crests rendered in gold against deep, polished black lacquer. The paulownia (kiri) and chrysanthemum (kiku) — imperial and aristocratic symbols both — appear not as ornament but as authorship. The style traces directly to the lacquerware produced for Kita-no-Mandokoro at Kodaiji Temple in the late Momoyama period.

🔹 [ BASIC DETAILS ]
▸ Type: Chu-natsume (medium tea caddy) for usucha
▸ Artist: Takeuchi Kosai (竹内幸斎)
▸ Dimensions: H approx. 7 cm × D approx. 6.8 cm
▸ Condition: Good. Lacquer surface intact with characteristic depth.
▸ Box: Tomobako (artist's own wooden box) with green cord, inscribed "高台寺蒔絵 中棗 幸斎"

Kodaiji maki-e emerged from the workshops that served Toyotomi Hideyoshi's widow. The style is defined by its boldness — large crests, high-contrast gold on black, forms that read clearly across the tea space. Where later maki-e became increasingly intricate and inward, Kodaiji maki-e retained a quality of statement. This piece carries that directness.

The chu-natsume is the most frequently used natsume size in standard usucha service. It is neither precious display nor daily utility — it is the working lacquer of a serious practitioner's shelf.

Takeuchi Kosai works within the established vocabulary of classical maki-e, here deploying both the paulownia (symbol of the imperial consort's authority) and the chrysanthemum (emblem of autumn, of the court, of endurance) in a paired composition that has meaning before it has beauty.

【日本語説明】
竹内幸斎作、高台寺蒔絵中棗。黒漆地に金蒔絵で桐・菊の意匠を施した桃山期様式の薄茶器。桐は高位の象徴、菊は宮廷と秋の紋様として古来より用いられてきた。高台寺蒔絵は北政所が眠る高台寺の漆器様式に由来し、大柄で力強い構図が特徴。幸斎の筆による金蒔絵は黒漆地に映えて誇りある存在感を放つ。共箱付（緑紐、「高台寺蒔絵 中棗 幸斎」の墨書）。寸法：高さ約7cm、直径約6.8cm。状態良好。

▸ SHIPPING & PACKAGING
Each piece is wrapped in traditional Japanese washi paper, cushioned with bubble wrap, and double-boxed for international transit. We ship from Japan via Japan Post EMS or DHL. Estimated delivery: 5–10 business days. Tracking provided. For any customs duties or import taxes, buyers are responsible per their country's regulations.

🔹 [ 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