Natsume (Japanese tea caddy) in lacquer and gold, decorated with flowers and herbs by Ikkō Kiyose

This natsume by Ikkō Kiyose, a highly regarded lacquer master from Kanazawa, is a piece of remarkable craftsmanship. A light wooden container, entirely covered in deep black Japanese urushi lacquer, is adorned with a profusion of flowers and herbs rendered in gold powder. The extreme delicacy of the lines, the variety of textures, and the expansive nature of the motif enveloping the piece, along with the fact that this natsume was personally selected and recommended by Hōunsai, the fifteenth grand master of the Urasenke school, make it a truly exceptional work.

Decor and techniques
The decoration is executed using traditional Japanese maki-e techniques and techniques with gold powder. The stems, leaves, and petals are rendered with great precision in a flat hiramaki-e (flat gold lacquer) technique, while some floral reliefs utilize taka maki-e (raised gold lacquer) to create volume. The base of the natsume features a meticulous transition from deep black to a highly opaque nashiji, achieved by scattering fine gold flakes onto a still-wet layer of lacquer, then fixing and polishing them under successive layers of lacquer. The interior of the lid and the vessel is also treated with dense nashiji, forming a warm, shimmering surface that underscores the mastery of the craftsmanship.

Inside the lid is the red kao (personal calligraphic mark) of Hōunsai, the fifteenth Grand Master of the Urasenke School of Tea, while the inside of the protective box bears his calligraphy. In chanoyu tradition, the presence of this kao and inscription signifies that the master officially selected and recommended this natsume (tea bowl) for use in the tea ceremony, thus adding to the prestige of the piece. Hōunsai, also known as Hansō Sōshitsu, passed away in August 2025 at the age of one hundred and two.

Form and use
This natsume (box in which matcha powder is placed during the Japanese tea ceremony) belongs to the classic chu-natsume format (intermediate format), used for usucha (lightly whipped tea).

The craftsman
This natsume was crafted by the artisan Ikkō Kiyose, born in 1942 in Kanazawa, a master lacquerer renowned for his mastery of maki-e. Heir to a long line of artisans, he succeeded his father in 1986 and was designated a traditional craftsman in 1995, an official recognition guaranteeing expertise, authenticity, prestige, and value in the art market. His works are highly sought after in the world of chanoyu for their exquisite craftsmanship, elegant compositions, and consistent finish.

Presentation
This piece dates from the Heisei era (1989–2019). It comes with a protective box made of paulownia kiribako (paulownia) wood, closed with a sanadahimo cord, bearing the artist's signature, seal, the title of the work, and Master Hōunsai's calligraphy. The inside of the natsume's lid also bears Master Hōunsai's red kao .

Place of manufacture
Japan, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Dimensions
Height 7.5 cm - Diameter 7 cm

Weight
Natsume alone: ​​64 g
Natsume with boxes: 185 g

Materials
Wood, Japanese urushi lacquer, gold powder

Condition
Very good condition.