A refined lacquer tea caddy where golden landscapes emerge from lustrous depths, evoking Japan's most celebrated scenic views. Description: This large tea caddy (ō-natsume) presents a gently rounded cylindrical form with a domed lid that fits flush with the body. The exterior displays a rich ground of translucent lacquer through which the wood grain remains visible, creating subtle variations of deep reddish-brown and burgundy tones. This layered translucency gives the surface a warm, luminous quality. Around the body, a continuous landscape scene unfolds in gold maki-e decoration. The imagery depicts pine trees with characteristic cloud-like foliage, rocky outcrops, buildings with traditional architecture, and a bridge crossing water, all rendered in varying densities of gold powder to create depth and atmosphere. The gold ranges from bright burnished areas to softer, more diffused passages, lending the design a painterly quality. The interior of the body is finished in smooth black lacquer. The rim beneath the lid shows a band of gold decoration with pine motifs continuing the landscape theme. A hidden treasure awaits when the lid is lifted: the underside reveals a striking scene of Miyajima's iconic torii gate rendered in red and gold maki-e against a black lacquer ground. Pine trees frame the vermilion torii standing above stylized waves, creating a moment of quiet discovery for the user during the tea ceremony. This concealed decoration exemplifies the Japanese aesthetic of finding beauty in unexpected places. Cultural & Art Context: This piece is made in the style favored by Hounsai (1923–2025), the 15th-generation Grand Master (Daisōshō) of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony. Tea masters have traditionally commissioned or approved specific designs for tea utensils, and pieces made according to their aesthetic preferences are known as "konomi" (favored style). The "Sankei" (Three Views) theme refers to the three most celebrated scenic landscapes of Japan—Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture, and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture—a classical subject in Japanese decorative arts since the Edo period. Collector Appeal: Tea ceremony utensils created in the style of renowned tea masters represent both functional objects and expressions of refined aesthetic principles. Pieces bearing the imprimatur of a major tea school lineage hold particular significance for collectors of Japanese tea culture and lacquerware. Dimensions: Diameter: approx. 6.5 cm Height: approx. 7.3 cm Weight: approx. 54 g Condition: No chips, cracks or restorations. Artist Profile: Yuho Sakashita (1917– ) was born in Yamanaka-machi, Ishikawa Prefecture, in 1917. In 1931, he began his apprenticeship under the maki-e master Shuho Sakata. He became a member of the Ishikawa Branch of the Japan Traditional Craft Association. In 1976, he received the Governor's Award at the Maki-e Creative Exhibition, and his work was designated for permanent preservation by the town. He achieved numerous selections at the Ishikawa Branch Exhibition of the Japan Traditional Craft Association and other exhibitions. In 1979, he was officially certified as a Dentō Kōgeishi (Traditional Craftsman). Yamanaka in Ishikawa Prefecture is renowned as one of Japan's foremost centers of lacquerware production, with a history spanning over four centuries. The region is particularly celebrated for its wood-turning techniques and high-quality lacquer finishing, and has produced many accomplished maki-e artists who supply tea ceremony utensils to the major schools of tea. Additional Notes Please review all photos carefully as they are part of the item description. Shipping Information All items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post, depending on the destination. Each piece is packed with great care using professional materials suitable for fine art shipping. A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched. We cannot under-declare item values or mark shipments as gifts. Import Duties & Taxes Import duties, VAT, and any additional customs or processing fees are not included in the auction price. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your local customs office for details before bidding. Customs Communication Customs or the shipping carrier may contact you for additional information (such as ID verification or payment of duties). Please respond promptly to avoid delays or returns. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.