{"product_id":"natsume-boite-a-the-japonaise-laque-et-or-decor-shikunshi-quatre-gentilshommes-de-ippyosai","title":"Natsume (Japanese tea caddy) lacquered in gold, shikunshi (four gentlemen) decor by Ippyōsai","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"105\" data-end=\"624\"\u003eThis natsume (a container for matcha powder used in Japanese tea ceremonies) by Ippyōsai, one of Kyoto's most renowned lacquer masters in the field of chanoyu, demonstrates a remarkable level of craftsmanship. Completely covered in deep black urushi roiro lacquer (mirror-like lacquer), it features a highly refined shikunshi (four gentlemen) maki-e (gold powder) decoration, whose richness and precision reflect the Ippyōsai workshop's very high standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"626\" data-end=\"1276\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artisan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"635\" data-end=\"638\"\u003eThis natsume was made by Ippyōsai, the name of a lineage of maki-e masters (lacquer artists) from Kyoto that has been 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 Kyoto lacquer master), 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 established the Ippyōsai workshop's reputation among the great names of Kyō maki-e, and his pieces are highly sought after in the art market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1278\" data-end=\"1773\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration and Techniques\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1300\"\u003eThe decoration is executed in taka maki-e (raised gold powder), a technique involving building up the motif with successive layers of urushi lacquer to create a sculpted volume before the application of gold powder. After drying, the surfaces are carefully worked, polished, and then enhanced with new applications of lacquer and powder, which gives the motifs a sculptural presence and extreme precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1775\" data-end=\"2275\"\u003eThe depicted theme is that of the shikunshi (four gentlemen), bringing together ume (plum tree, renewal), take (bamboo, uprightness), kiku (chrysanthemum, longevity), and ran (orchid, elegance). These plants, originating from the literary tradition, embody ideal moral qualities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2277\" data-end=\"2623\"\u003eThe exterior background is made of roiro black lacquer (mirror finish), offering a deep contrast with the gold. The interior is treated with ginji (silver ground), obtained by applying silver powder to still-adhesive lacquer, then covered with transparent layers and finely polished, creating a luminous and subtly reflective surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2625\" data-end=\"3010\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShape and Use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2639\" data-end=\"2642\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis natsume is a chū natsume (medium-sized natsume), used in the tea ceremony to hold matcha powder for the preparation of usucha (light tea).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3012\" data-end=\"3299\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3027\"\u003eThis piece comes with a tomobako (protective wooden box) bearing the artisan's signature and seal, as well as the name of the work. It is also presented with a tomonuno protective cloth marked with the artisan's seal. The natsume is signed on its base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3301\" data-end=\"3335\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace of Manufacture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3323\"\u003eJapan, Kyoto\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3337\" data-end=\"3371\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3344\" data-end=\"3347\"\u003eHeisei Era (1989 - 2019)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3373\" data-end=\"3418\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3383\" data-end=\"3386\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter 7.2 cm - Height 7.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3420\" data-end=\"3478\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3425\" data-end=\"3428\"\u003eNatsume alone: 60 g\u003cbr data-start=\"3448\" data-end=\"3451\"\u003eNatsume with boxes: 180 g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3480\" data-end=\"3548\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3489\" data-end=\"3492\"\u003eWood, urushi lacquer, gold and silver powders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3550\" data-end=\"3575\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3562\"\u003eVery good condition\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Les objets","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55658476470612,"sku":"LJ-CH-04-20","price":1420.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0593\/3439\/4039\/files\/natsume-laque-urushi-boite-the-matcha-artisanat-japonais-maki-e-poudre-or-shikki-chanoyu-ippyosai-atelier-ikiwa-12.jpg?v=1777383278","url":"https:\/\/www.atelierikiwa.com\/en\/products\/natsume-boite-a-the-japonaise-laque-et-or-decor-shikunshi-quatre-gentilshommes-de-ippyosai","provider":"Atelier Ikiwa","version":"1.0","type":"link"}