【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】 This Natsume (tea caddy) is a work of art by the renowned Showa era maki-e artist, Akasaka Katsuaki from Nagano Prefecture, a multiple award winner who became an instructor at the Basic Advanced Lacquer Art Institute in 1976. The caddy features the elegant Sumiyoshi maki-e design, a motif that pays homage to the Sumiyoshi sanctuary—a place of spiritual significance. The design, with its shimmering gold backdrop, showcases Sumiyoshi's thematic elements of pine trees, torii gates, and waves. Pine trees symbolize longevity and steadfastness, the torii gates represent a passage to the sacred, and the waves signify resilience and perpetual motion, each element meticulously crafted to convey a rich tapestry of poetic imagery. The maki-e technique enhances the visual narrative with the glittering application of gold and silver, lending the artwork an ethereal quality. Notable are the golden cube flakes scattered on the pine trunk, adding a luxurious depth to the piece. The interior and base are finished with a nashiji ground, complementing the splendor of the exterior. The base bears the artist's signature, confirming its authenticity. While there is some wear consistent with age, the piece is preserved in good condition. Please refer to the photos for a detailed view of its state. 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!