This work is a "Spring-Looking Maki-e Medium-Sized Natsume" by Yoshida Ippo(吉田一峯), a master of Kaga maki-e. This exquisite piece symbolically depicts a spring scene in gold maki-e against a lustrous black lacquer background, with a fluttering butterfly on the lid and budding flowers on the body. The title, "Spring-Looking," evokes the gaze of the spring fields and the heart's cherishment of the breath of nature and the brilliance of life, lending it an elegant charm that is fitting for evoking the feeling of spring in a tea ceremony. Kaga maki-e is a genre of traditional Japanese crafts that is particularly popular among European collectors. From the 17th to 18th centuries, maki-e produced in Kaga and Wajima was known as "Japan" and was exported to countries such as the Netherlands, France, and Portugal via the East India Company, where it adorned the treasure houses of royalty and aristocracy. The gold and silver patterns emerging from the jet-black background were enthusiastically embraced in Europe as an exotic and mysterious beauty, and were added to the collections of King Louis XIV and the British royal family. This work, the "Spring View Maki-e Medium-sized Natsume," continues this historical background, offering European collectors the experience of "holding in their hands a symbol of former East-West exchanges in the present day." The brilliance of the gold that emerges from the depths of the black lacquer reveals different expressions depending on the angle of the light, offering a new discovery every time they pick it up. Combining the functionality of tea utensils with the elegance of a work of art, it becomes a symbolic presence in the microcosm of the tea room, expressing the spirit of celebrating spring. This "Spring View Maki-e Medium-sized Natsume" goes beyond its practicality as a tea ceremony utensil; it is a work of art that reflects Japan's four seasons and the beauty of nature. It is a striking piece that evokes the feeling of spring not only as a collectible item, but also during an actual tea ceremony, evoking the feeling of spring in the air. About the Artist: Yoshida Kazumine Yoshida Kazumine is a maki-e artist based in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, highly regarded as a master craftsman who continues the tradition of Kaga maki-e. Kaga maki-e boasts a unique beauty that combines the splendor of the Momoyama period with the meticulous technique cultivated during the Edo period, and Yoshida Kazumine's work is part of that tradition. Specializing in works featuring natural flowers, birds, and insects, primarily tea ceremony utensils, Kazumine is known for his delicate depictions of the changing seasons. His brushwork is extremely precise yet vibrantly conveys the vitality of nature, earning him a strong following among tea ceremony enthusiasts. [Size] Diameter 6.7cm Height 6.7cm Overall in good condition, but there are some scuffs. Please see photos. A box is also included. Please check the photos before bidding. Any taxes related to international shipping must be borne by the purchaser. Occasionally, customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you for customs clearance via phone or email. Kindly ensure you are available to respond. Failure to do so may result in the parcel being returned to me, incurring additional shipping fees for reshipment. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. I will pack the item securely, but there may be cases where the item is repackaged at customs or damaged upon arrival due to a mistake by the shipping company. If this happens, please contact me immediately. Please promptly send me a photo of the item when it arrives and a photo of the damage to the item. We will provide refunds depending on the situation.