{"product_id":"natsume-boite-a-the-japonaise-laque-et-or-decor-shikunshi-quatre-gentilshommes-en-cercles-de-shoetsu-watanabe","title":"Natsume (Japanese tea caddy) lacquered and gilded, shikunshi (four gentlemen) decoration in circles by Shōetsu Watanabe","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"96\" data-end=\"777\"\u003eThis natsume (box in which matcha powder is placed during the Japanese tea ceremony) by Shōetsu Watanabe is a particularly elegant piece. On a black urushi lacquer (lacquer) of the roiro type (mirror finish), a shikunshi (four gentlemen) decoration in takamaki-e (raised decoration) unfolds, arranged in circles and enhanced with a nashiji (powdered gold) background. The presence of the kao (monogram) and the calligraphy of Hōunsai, fifteenth grand master of the Urasenke tea school, confirms the significant interest of this piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"1439\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe artisan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"788\" data-end=\"791\"\u003eThis natsume was made by Shōetsu Watanabe, an artisan from the second half of the 20th century and heir to the Kaga lacquer traditions (Ishikawa prefecture), a region renowned for the richness of its decorations. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHe is appreciated as a creator of cha dōgu (tea utensils), particularly natsume, whose compositions feature structured plant motifs, often linked to the literary tradition. His works have been regularly associated with great masters of tea schools, which attests to his recognition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1441\" data-end=\"1857\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration and techniques\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1460\" data-end=\"1463\"\u003eThe decoration is made in taka maki e (raised gold powder), a technique consisting of building the motif by superimposing urushi lacquer to create volume before applying the gold powders. After drying, the surfaces are re-worked, polished, then enhanced with new applications of lacquer and powder, which gives the motifs a clear presence and great precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1859\" data-end=\"2133\"\u003eThe represented 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, from the literary tradition, embody ideal moral qualities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2135\" data-end=\"2462\"\u003eThe composition is distinguished by a circular arrangement, each accommodating a plant motif, structuring the entire surface and creating a regular rhythm between the decorated elements, the areas of black lacquer left in reserve, and the powdered background passages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2464\" data-end=\"2897\"\u003eThe outer background is in roiro type black lacquer (mirror finish), offering a deep contrast with the gold, with a nashiji (powdered background) concentrated in the lower part of the natsume. Some details are enriched by the use of silver and raden (mother-of-pearl), providing variations of light. The interior is entirely treated with nashiji, with Hōunsai's kao (monogram) inscribed on the inside of the lid. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHōunsai is the tea name of Sen Sōshitsu XV (1923–2025), fifteenth grand master of the Urasenke school, one of the main lineages of chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2899\" data-end=\"3084\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm and use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2913\" data-end=\"2916\"\u003eThis ōnatsume (large natsume) is used in the tea ceremony to hold matcha powder (powdered green tea) intended for the preparation of usucha (light tea).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3086\" data-end=\"3380\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3101\"\u003eThis piece is accompanied by a double protective box: a cardboard box and a tomobako (original wooden protective box) bearing the artisan's signature, seal, and the name of the work. The tomobako also features a kakitsuke (inscription) by Hōunsai. The natsume bears Hōunsai's kao (monogram) on the inside of the lid. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBy affixing his kao and calligraphy to this natsume, Hōunsai thus attests that he has selected and recognized the piece as worthy of use in chanoyu (tea ceremony), which reinforces its value and legitimacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3382\" data-end=\"3430\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace of manufacture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3401\" data-end=\"3404\"\u003eJapan, Kaga region, Ishikawa prefecture\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3432\" data-end=\"3465\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3439\" data-end=\"3442\"\u003eShōwa era (1926 to 1989)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3508\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3477\" data-end=\"3480\"\u003eDiameter 7.4 cm - Height 7.2 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3510\" data-end=\"3568\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3515\" data-end=\"3518\"\u003eNatsume alone: 62 g\u003cbr data-start=\"3538\" data-end=\"3541\"\u003eNatsume with boxes: 214 g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3570\" data-end=\"3676\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3579\" data-end=\"3582\"\u003eWood, urushi lacquer, maki e (gold powder), nashiji (powdered background), raden (mother-of-pearl), silver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3678\" data-end=\"3704\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3687\" data-end=\"3690\"\u003eVery good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Les objets","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55659126194516,"sku":"LJ-CH-04-01","price":1380.0,"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-watanabe-shoetsu-atelier-ikiwa-12.jpg?v=1777391670","url":"https:\/\/www.atelierikiwa.com\/en\/products\/natsume-boite-a-the-japonaise-laque-et-or-decor-shikunshi-quatre-gentilshommes-en-cercles-de-shoetsu-watanabe","provider":"Atelier Ikiwa","version":"1.0","type":"link"}