Tantansai-Gonomi Ori-Dame Natsume 'Matsu-Karakusa' - Gold Maki-e Tea Caddy

Experience Authentic Japan Art with this Japanese Tea Caddy. This Tantansai Style Natsume serves as a Matcha Container and Gold Maki-e Lacquer, featuring Pine Arabesque Design and Ori-Dame Shape—a must-have for any Art Collector. A distinguished tea caddy in the Urasenke tradition with Signed Wooden Box and exquisite Traditional Urushi Art.

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🔹 [ BASIC DETAILS ]

• Artist: Signed by Yoichi (陽一) on tomobako
• Technique: Gold Maki-e on black urushi, Ori-dame (折撓) form
• Era: Late Showa period
• Origin: Japan
• Style: Tantansai-gonomi (淡々斎好) – Urasenke 14th Iemoto preference
• Dimensions: Height approx. 7 cm, Diameter approx. 6.7 cm
• Box: Tomobako (artist-signed wooden box)
• Condition: Excellent – No cracks or chips. Pristine lacquer surface.

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🔹 [ CULTURAL & ARTISTIC INSIGHT ]

This refined natsume embodies the aesthetic preferences of Tantansai (淡々斎, 1893-1964), the 14th generation grand master of Urasenke. The ori-dame shape—characterized by its horizontal ridges creating a bamboo-like segmented appearance—reflects the Urasenke emphasis on restrained elegance and quiet sophistication.

The matsu-karakusa (松唐草) pattern weaves stylized pine branches through flowing arabesque vines, a classical motif symbolizing longevity, resilience, and continuous prosperity. Gold maki-e floats against the deep black ground like scattered starlight through pine boughs.

*"Pine and vine intertwine in golden whispers, teaching patience to those who pause to listen."*

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🔹 [ DEEP-DIVE COMMENTARY ]

**Tantansai Legacy**: Tantansai Sekiso guided Urasenke through the tumultuous Showa era, revitalizing tea culture in post-war Japan. His aesthetic preferences (konomi) favored understated beauty—pieces that reveal their depth gradually rather than dazzling immediately.

**Ori-Dame Form**: The distinctive horizontal grooves of this form originated from tea caddies made to resemble bent bamboo (ori-dame literally means "bent-warped"). The ridges catch light differently at each level, creating subtle dimensional interest despite the vessel's compact size.

**Design Harmony**: The matsu-karakusa motif demonstrates sophisticated compositional balance. Pine needles rendered in precise gold lines contrast with the fluid movement of karakusa vines, embodying the Japanese aesthetic principle of combining stillness (sei) with movement (do).

**Provenance Value**: Tea utensils designated as "gonomi" (preferred by) a specific grand master carry special significance within their respective schools. For Urasenke practitioners, Tantansai-gonomi pieces represent a direct connection to their lineage and its philosophical foundations.

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[ JAPANESE DESCRIPTION / 日本語解説 ]

🔹 [ 基本情報 ]

• 作家：陽一（箱書）
• 技法：金蒔絵、折撓形
• 時代：昭和後期
• 様式：淡々斎好
• 寸法：高さ約7cm、直径約6.7cm
• 付属品：共箱
• 状態：極上品。ヒビ・カケなし。

🔹 [ 作品解説 ]

裏千家十四代・淡々斎宗匠のお好みによる折撓棗です。折撓形は竹を曲げたような横段の意匠で、裏千家の控えめな品格を体現しています。

松唐草は松と蔓草を組み合わせた吉祥文様で、長寿と繁栄を象徴します。漆黒の地に金蒔絵で描かれた松葉と流麗な蔓の対比が、静と動の調和を見事に表現しています。

淡々斎好の茶道具は、裏千家の稽古において特別な意味を持ちます。茶道の系譜と哲学に直接つながる逸品です。

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• Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days
• Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking)
• Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials