【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 This is a refined Wajima-nuri lacquer natsume tea caddy by Wakashima Sosai (若島宗斉), a master lacquer artist of modern Wajima lacquerware, widely recognised as one of the leading craftsmen of his field. The piece is executed in black lacquer with elegant maki-e decoration depicting the “Four Gentlemen” motif. The lid features a chrysanthemum rendered in raised gold maki-e, with finely scattered gold flakes adding depth and brilliance. The body is decorated with plum blossoms, bamboo, and iris, symbolizing the changing seasons and classical literati themes. Although the “Four Gentlemen” traditionally refer to orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum, in Japanese decorative arts it is not uncommon for iris to be depicted in place of orchid due to its similar form and cultural familiarity. The interior and underside are finished in rich nashiji, creating a luxurious golden surface that contrasts beautifully with the exterior. Wajima-nuri is renowned for its exceptionally durable construction and refined finish. Built upon a solid foundation and carefully applied layers of lacquer, each piece undergoes an extensive production process involving more than 23 stages and over 124 individual steps. This results in lacquerware that combines strength with elegance, regarded as one of the finest in Japan. The craftsmanship is evident throughout, with extremely fine and precise lines showcasing a high level of skill. Wajima lacquerware requires significant time, effort, and advanced techniques to produce. Wakashima Sosai, also known as Wakashima Takeshi, is recognized for his refined maki-e techniques, including raised gold decoration, chinkin, and lacquer painting. He is the son of the maki-e artist Wakashima Noboru, known for producing maki-e inro featuring the Tokugawa family crest. The silk cloth bears a signature and seal. The wooden box is inscribed with the title, signature, and seal. The natsume is in very good vintage condition with minimal wear. The silk cloth has some spots, and the wooden box has light stains. Please refer to the photos for details. Dimensions: approx. H 6.3 cm W 8.5 cm D 8.5 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!