Natsume (Japanese tea caddy) in lacquer, gold and mother-of-pearl, decorated with suiren (water lilies) by Jōtarō Gotō

This natsume (the tin in which matcha powder is placed during the Japanese tea ceremony) by Jōtarō Gotō (1942–2014), a renowned lacquer master from Yamanaka, is a piece of great visual and technical richness. On a light wooden container entirely covered in deep black Japanese urushi lacquer, unfolds an aquatic motif of suiren (water lilies), enlivened by spectacular inlays of blue mother-of-pearl depicting the shimmering movements of the water, and by several exquisitely delicate white mother-of-pearl flowers. The whole is structured by sunago maki-e (very fine gold, like sand) applied in a deliberately discontinuous manner, revealing areas without powder that evoke the undulations of the surface, while the interior, finished in nashiji (sprinkles of gold), provides superb luminosity. This composition reveals a high level of execution, where the precision of the brushstrokes magnifies the materials and the visual impact of the natsume.

Decor and techniques

The decoration combines maki-e (gold powder) and mother-of-pearl (raden) inlays in a composition centered on the motif of suiren (water lilies). The movement of the water is rendered by a large area of ​​blue raden, composed of carefully cut mother-of-pearl fragments inserted into the lacquered surface before polishing, until they are perfectly flush with the surface of the natsume. This particularly demanding technique produces a surface that is completely smooth to the touch, while offering iridescent reflections that change dramatically depending on the light.

The flowers are crafted from white raden, assembled from extremely tiny fragments with meticulous precision. The mother-of-pearl has a very slight volume, enhancing the definition of the petals. This contrast between the flush blue raden and the slightly raised white raden creates a subtle interplay of fluidity and presence.

The body is animated by a sunago maki-e (gold powder that evokes sand) applied in an interrupted manner. Areas deliberately left without powder create dark spaces reminiscent of ripples and the movement of water, while certain water lily leaves are enhanced with an extremely fine dusting of gold, denser than on the background, accentuating their silhouette without weighing down the composition.

The interior, lid and cup, is entirely finished in nashiji (sprinkle gold), offering a luminous and even surface that contrasts with the depth of the exterior decoration. The whole is distinguished by the precision of the inlay, the fineness of the powdering, and a remarkable mastery of the transitions between materials.

Form and use

This ōnatsume (large natsume) is traditionally used in the tea ceremony for usucha, light tea, when preparing several bowls.

The craftsman

This natsume was crafted by Jōtarō Gotō (1942–2014), a Japanese lacquer master from Yamanaka, Ishikawa Prefecture, a region historically renowned for its teaware and lacquerware tradition. Specializing in natsume and pieces intended for chanoyu (ceremonial use), he is recognized for the quality of his maki-e (leafboards) and his particularly refined raden (leafboard) work. He received the official title of dento kogei-shi (craftsman), a distinction awarded to masters of traditional Japanese crafts, and exhibited his work in several exhibitions dedicated to crafts and lacquer. His pieces, which are increasing in value on the art market, are prized for their precise execution, the subtlety of their decoration, and the demanding mastery of powdering and inlay techniques.

Presentation

This unique piece dates from the Heisei era (1989-2019). It comes with a protective paulownia wood box (tomobako) closed with a cord (sanadahimo), bearing the artist's name, official seal, and the title of the work, as well as a protective cloth (tomonuno, not pictured) bearing the artist's seal.

Place of manufacture

Japan (Yamanaka, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Dimensions

Diameter 7.3 cm - Height 7.5 cm

Weight

Natsume alone: ​​74 g
Natsume with boxes: 188 g

Materials

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

Condition

Very good condition.