Natsume Makie O Natsume with Flowering Vine Motif by Issai Saijo

A black-lacquered tea container (O-Natsume), the lid and body of which are enveloped by a lush vine and leaf motif executed in gold – a decorative abundance that lends the otherwise plain vessel an almost textile quality.

This natsume was made by Issai Saijo.

The intertwined leaves and vines are set with fine contour lines that give the flat gold lacquer a sculptural appearance and lend additional depth to the surface. Such all-over vine motifs deliberately differ from the often more reduced natsume decorations focused on individual plant motifs, and represent a particularly elaborate interpretation of the makie technique.

The container comes in a wooden box signed by the master, making it suitable both for the tea ceremony and as a representative collector's piece of Japanese lacquer art.