Natsume (Japanese tea caddy) in lacquer and gold, decorated with Setsugekka (snow, moon, cherry blossom) by Ippyōsai

This natsume (a container in which matcha powder is placed during the Japanese tea ceremony) by the renowned artisan Ippyōsai is a work of great finesse, where the depth of a mirror-finish black urushi lacquer meets delicate relief decoration in gold, silver, and mother-of-pearl. Highly sought after for his tea utensils, this master of Kyō maki-e (Kyoto gold powder decoration) signs here a particularly elegant work, of rare refinement, perfectly in tune with the spirit of chanoyu (the Way of Tea).

The artisan

This natsume was made by Ippyōsai, the name of a lineage of maki-eshi (lacquerware masters) from Kyoto, passed down since the Edo period. He is the seventh Ippyōsai, Ippyō Eizō, born in 1942 in Kyoto, son of the sixth Ippyōsai. Trained by his father and by Shimizuya Kōmin (a master lacquerer from Kyoto), he took the name of the seventh Ippyōsai in 2001. Highly esteemed in the world of chanoyu, he is particularly known for his natsume, whose meticulous execution and decorative quality have built the reputation of the Ippyōsai house among the greatest names in Kyō maki-e, and his pieces are highly sought after in the art market.

Decoration and techniques

The decoration combines hiramaki-e (flat decoration), taka maki-e (relief decoration), raden (mother-of-pearl), kin and gin nashiji (gold and silver sprinkling), kirigane (cut gold leaf fragments) and roiro (mirror finish). The motifs are traced with gold powder with great finesse, some are treated in relief, all giving the decoration a discreetly sculpted presence. On the highly polished black background, a large area of very fine silver dusting (gin nashiji) evokes the moon and creates a subtle contrast with the deep black lacquer and the gold powder decoration.

One of the motifs is enriched with small pieces of raden, whose iridescent reflections bring a very subtle luminous vibration to the composition. The ensemble unfolds around the setsugekka theme (snow, moon, sakura), a classic motif in Japanese culture celebrating the beauty of the seasons. This poetic association, very present in Japanese literature and painting, evokes three emblematic manifestations of nature: winter snow, the moon contemplated in autumn, and the ephemeral blooming of sakura in spring.

The inside of the lid and the bowl is entirely treated with nashiji (gold sprinkling), producing a very elegant luminous effect that contrasts with the depth of the exterior black background.

Form and use

This natsume is a chū natsume (medium-sized natsume), used in the tea ceremony to hold the matcha powder for preparing usucha (light tea).

Presentation

This piece comes with a kiribako (wooden box) signed by the artisan and fastened with a sanadahimo (cord), a protective tomonuno (cloth), as well as a second protective cardboard box.

Place of manufacture
Japan, Kyoto

Period
Heisei era (1989 - 2019)

Dimensions
Diameter 7.2 cm - Height 7.5 cm

Weight
Natsume alone: 55 g
Natsume with boxes: 242 g

Materials
Wood, urushi lacquer (lacquer), maki-e (gold powder), raden (mother-of-pearl)

Condition
Very good condition.