【Important notes】 ・International Buyers: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. ・Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These duties are paid to your country's customs office and not to us. Prompt payment of these fees is necessary to ensure delivery of your item. 【Product details】 Presenting a classic piece of Japanese artistry, this Sumiyoshi Makie-decorated Natsume (tea caddy) comes complete with wooden box and a protective shifuku silk pouch. The exterior of the caddy gleams with a golden lacquer base, featuring an elaborate high-relief Makie depiction of pines, a bridge, and a torii gate - each a symbol deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics and spirituality. The term "Sumiyoshi Makie" refers to a design that features the torii gate, drum bridge, pond waters, and shrine surrounded by pines, all elements associated with the Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine in Osaka. The interior surfaces, including the underside of the lid and the base, showcase a Nashiji (pear skin ground) finish adorned with delicate butterflies and leaves. The pine tree in Japanese culture symbolizes longevity, good fortune, and steadfastness. The bridge represents passage and transition, often a path to a sacred or revered place, while the torii gate signifies the entrance to a Shinto shrine, demarcating the boundary between the secular and the sacred. Butterflies are emblematic of transformation and joyous change, making this Natsume a vessel full of deep meaning and cultural significance. This Natsume is an exquisite example of high Makie, where the design is built up in relief, creating a three-dimensional effect that is both tactile and visually striking. Please note that there is some damage to the wooden box and a panel on the lid is missing. There is a small crack in part of the lid. Kindly refer to the accompanying photographs for details. Dimensions: approx. H 2.7 cm W 8.8 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!