Natsume Makie Natsume - Japanese Tea Container for the Tea Ceremony

A deep, warm reddish-brown forms the ground of this natsume, on which delicate family crests appear in gold and silver lacquer: a kiri-mon with stylized leaves as well as a filigree chrysanthemum crest on the lid. The maki-e technique, in which metal powder is scattered into the still-moist lacquer, gives the motifs their characteristic depth and their subtle luster.

The round, gently curved shape with the precisely fitting lid follows the classic construction of these tea containers for the chanoyu ceremony. The silver-lined interior protects the delicate matcha from light and moisture and is at the same time a sign of the high craftsmanship with which this piece was made. Created in the Shôwa period, this natsume combines traditional Japanese lacquer craftsmanship with restrained, elegant ornamentation.

As a handcrafted unique work, it is not only a functional utensil of the tea ceremony, but also a stylish collector's piece that embodies the quiet aesthetic of Japanese craftsmanship in a special way.