{"product_id":"wada-kinsai-dragonfly-maki-e-flat-natsume-lacquer-tea-caddy-with-signed-box","title":"Wada Kinsai Dragonfly Maki-e Flat Natsume - Lacquer Tea Caddy with Signed Box","description":"Celebrate victory and abundance with this stunning Dragonfly Maki-e Tea Caddy. This Flat Natsume is a Japanese Lacquer Container featuring gold Tombo design by Wada Kinsai—an auspicious Japanese Art Collectible and Authentic Japan Art for any Art Collector seeking Matcha Tea Ceremony utensils.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ PRODUCT DETAILS ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Artist: Wada Kinsai (和田瑾斎)\u003cbr\u003e• Origin: Japan\u003cbr\u003e• Type: Hira-natsume (平棗) - Flat Tea Caddy\u003cbr\u003e• Technique: Gold maki-e on tame-nuri lacquer\u003cbr\u003e• Motif: Tombo (蜻蛉) - Dragonfly\u003cbr\u003e• Dimensions: Diameter approx. 8.5 cm × Height approx. 5.8 cm (3.3\" × 2.3\")\u003cbr\u003e• Materials: Wood core, natural urushi lacquer, gold powder\u003cbr\u003e• Packaging: Tomobako (artist-signed wooden box)\u003cbr\u003e• Condition: Excellent\u003cbr\u003e• Style: Traditional Japanese \/ Samurai aesthetic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ ABOUT THIS PIECE ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis exquisite hira-natsume showcases the beloved dragonfly motif rendered in luminous gold maki-e against a rich tame-nuri (amber-tinted) lacquer ground. The low, wide form emphasizes horizontal elegance, perfect for koicha (thick tea) service or refined usucha presentations.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMultiple dragonflies grace both lid and body, their delicate wings catching light as they appear to dance across the lacquer surface. The warm reddish-brown tame-nuri base provides depth and warmth, created through layers of transparent lacquer over a red undercoat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ WHY CHOOSE THIS NATSUME? ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe dragonfly (tombo) holds special significance in Japanese culture as \"kachi-mushi\" (勝ち虫)—the victory insect. Because dragonflies only fly forward and never retreat, samurai adopted them as symbols of courage and triumph. This makes the piece particularly meaningful for celebrations of achievement or new beginnings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn autumn, dragonflies appear in rice fields as harbingers of harvest abundance. Their association with both martial valor and agricultural plenty made them beloved across all levels of Japanese society. Tea practitioners select dragonfly-motif utensils for late summer and early autumn gatherings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*\"Golden wings never turn back—forward into autumn light, carrying summer's last warmth.\"*\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ DEEP-DIVE COMMENTARY ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTame-nuri (溜塗) represents one of lacquer's most refined finishes. Unlike opaque black or red lacquers, tame-nuri uses transparent layers over a colored ground, creating luminous depth that changes with viewing angle. The technique requires exceptional skill to achieve even color and perfect clarity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hira-natsume form originated for thick tea (koicha) service, where the wider opening allows easier access for the tea scoop. Over time, the elegant proportions made it popular for thin tea as well, particularly for displaying horizontal maki-e designs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWada Kinsai continues the tradition of creating symbolic tea utensils that communicate meaning through design. The repeated dragonfly motif creates rhythm and movement, transforming a functional container into a meditation on nature's transience.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQ: Is this appropriate for both koicha and usucha?\u003cbr\u003eA: Yes, hira-natsume are versatile vessels suitable for both thick and thin tea preparations.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQ: What is the significance of multiple dragonflies?\u003cbr\u003eA: Multiple dragonflies suggest abundance and the gathering energy of autumn harvest season.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQ: How should I care for tame-nuri lacquer?\u003cbr\u003eA: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid water immersion and store away from direct sunlight to preserve the luminous finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ SUGGESTED USES ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerfect gift for those celebrating victories—graduations, promotions, or overcoming challenges. Ideal for autumn tea gatherings or as a meaningful gift for martial artists honoring the samurai spirit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ SHIPPING \u0026amp; PACKAGING ]\u003cbr\u003e• Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days\u003cbr\u003e• Carrier: Japan Post EMS \/ UPS (with tracking)\u003cbr\u003e• Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ EXPLORE MORE ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscover our collection of symbolic lacquerware and tea ceremony utensils.\u003cbr\u003e→ Visit our shop for more treasures from Japan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e【日本語解説】\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ 作品詳細 ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• 作家：和田瑾斎\u003cbr\u003e• 品目：平棗\u003cbr\u003e• 技法：溜塗地に金蒔絵\u003cbr\u003e• 意匠：蜻蛉（とんぼ）\u003cbr\u003e• 寸法：径約8.5cm、高さ約5.8cm\u003cbr\u003e• 素材：木地、天然漆、金粉\u003cbr\u003e• 付属品：共箱\u003cbr\u003e• 状態：良好\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ 作品解説 ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e和田瑾斎による蜻蛉蒔絵の平棗です。温かみのある溜塗の地に、金蒔絵で複数の蜻蛉を配しています。蓋と胴に飛ぶ蜻蛉は、光の当たり具合で表情を変え、漆器ならではの奥行きある美しさを見せます。\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e🔹 [ 文化的背景 ]\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e蜻蛉は日本で「勝ち虫」として知られ、前にしか進まないその習性から、武士たちに勝利の象徴として愛されました。兜や刀装具にも多く用いられた吉祥文様です。また、秋の収穫期に群れ飛ぶ姿は豊穣の象徴でもあり、晩夏から初秋の茶席に相応しい意匠です。","brand":"The Modern Zen Archive","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61566202708338,"sku":"260127_1854","price":997.0,"currency_code":"AED","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/5680\/3698\/files\/m89628901414_1.jpg?v=1770710631","url":"https:\/\/checkout.themodernzenarchive.com\/products\/wada-kinsai-dragonfly-maki-e-flat-natsume-lacquer-tea-caddy-with-signed-box","provider":"The Modern Zen Archive","version":"1.0","type":"link"}