‘Makie Kui Tsuru’ (Willow Cherry) - Soetsu Nakamura 中村宗悦 - Teebehälter/-kasten - Lack, Holz - Maki-e-Design

Description:
Introduce the absolute pinnacle of Japanese tea ceremony elegance (Chado) to your collection with this breathtaking O-Natsume (Large Matcha Tea Caddy). Masterfully crafted by the celebrated lacquer artist Soetsu Nakamura, this piece perfectly encapsulates the profound beauty and meticulous craftsmanship of traditional Japanese lacquerware (Shikki).

The Master Artist: Soetsu Nakamura (1932–)
Born in 1932 in Ishikawa Prefecture—the historic heartland of Japan’s world-renowned Yamanaka Lacquerware—Soetsu Nakamura is a highly revered figure in the traditional arts community. Dedicating his life to the creation of premium tea ceremony utensils (Chadougu), his exceptional skills have earned him numerous prestigious accolades, including the highly coveted Minister of International Trade and Industry Award. Works bearing the Nakamura Soetsu name are deeply trusted and highly sought after by grand tea masters and fine art collectors worldwide.

The Craft: Kuro-Urushi & Gold Maki-e Technique
This tea caddy is a showcase of uncompromising traditional techniques:

The Canvas (Kuro-Urushi): The wooden base has been coated in multiple layers of premium black lacquer (Kuro-urushi). Through painstaking hand-polishing, the artist has achieved a flawless, mirror-like depth that feels soft and warm to the touch.

The Art (Maki-e): The breathtaking decoration is executed using the ancient Maki-e technique. The artist meticulously hand-paints the intricate design using raw lacquer sap as an adhesive. Before it dries, pure gold and colored metallic powders are delicately sprinkled onto the surface. This creates a luxurious, slightly raised texture that brilliantly catches the light.

Design & Symbolism: "Yanagi Sakura" (Willow & Cherry Blossoms)
The motif painted across the lid and body is known as Yanagi Sakura (Weeping Willow and Cherry Blossoms). In Japanese poetry and art, this specific pairing is the ultimate symbol of spring. The graceful, yielding branches of the green willow perfectly contrast with the vivid, transient beauty of the pink cherry blossoms. It evokes a sense of renewal, fleeting elegance, and the profound Japanese aesthetic of Mono no Aware (the beautiful transience of things).

Authenticity and Value
This premium, museum-quality vessel comes complete with its original, custom-made wooden box (Tomobako), tied with a traditional purple Sanada-himo ribbon. The box lid features the elegant brush calligraphy "柳桜蒔絵 大棗" (Willow & Cherry Blossom Maki-e Large Natsume) and the artist's signature "中村宗悦" (Nakamura Soetsu), stamped with his authentic seal.

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