A pretty Wajima lacquer tea caddy 棗 (natsume) by Mokudai Shunpan 目代春帆 (contemporary). The design shows wooden rafts carried by turbulent streams of water, interspersed with sprays of autumn leaves 紅葉 (momiji) and cherry blossoms 桜 (sakura). Rendered in hiramaki-e 平蒔絵 (low-relief lacquer design) in shades of gold and silver on a glossy black lacquered ground 蝋色漆 (rôiro’urushi), enriched with nashiji 梨子地 (sprinkled gold lacquer) and inlaid kirigane 切金 (cut gold foil). The interior and recessed base are finished in the same smooth black lacquer. The underside is signed Shunpan 春帆, accompanied by a kakihan. The scene is inspired by the long-established practice of log rafting on the Kitayama River 北山川 in Wakayama. For over 400 years, specially trained ikadashi 筏師 (rafters) have navigated its gorges and waterways, transporting logs downstream in a process known as ikada kudari 筏下り, to the city of Shingū for construction and distribution throughout Japan. Complete with the original signed and sealed wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box). Period: Japan – Late 20th century (Late Shôwa period/Heisei period). Dimensions: Height 7.3 cm, diameter 7.3 cm. The natsume is in very good original condition, with three small losses to the kirigane inlay. Please refer to the photographs for a clear impression of the condition.