A quiet pair where glossy black lacquer and delicate gold maki-e create a gentle contrast. Description: This pair of lacquer tea caddies presents softly rounded square forms with fitted lids. Both pieces share a refined aesthetic language, yet each carries its own decorative character through distinct seasonal motifs. Musashino Ikkanbako Natsume: The Musashino piece is decorated entirely in gold maki-e against a deep black lacquer ground. Slender grass stems arc gracefully across the surfaces, each topped with delicate seed heads rendered in fine gold lines. The motif wraps continuously around the body and extends onto the lid, creating a unified composition that evokes the gentle movement of wind through an autumn meadow. The exterior features a textured surface with an irregular, bark-like pattern that contrasts with the smooth black lacquer beneath the maki-e decoration. The interior is finished in plain black lacquer. Harukusa Maki-e Ikkanbako Natsume: The spring grass piece features hand-painted botanical decoration in polychrome lacquer. The lid displays a flowering plant with coral-pink blossoms and green leaves emerging from stylized golden earth curves. The body continues this spring theme with additional floral and foliate motifs rendered in green, coral, red, and yellow against the black ground. Small red star-shaped flowers, yellow clustered blooms, and various leaf forms create a lively garden scene. The exterior shares the same textured, bark-like surface treatment as its companion piece. The interior is finished in plain black lacquer. Both vessels rest on low, straight feet. Each piece is accompanied by a wooden storage box inscribed with the title and artist's signature identifying the maker as lacquer master Kihei. Cultural & Art Context: Maki-e lacquerware, where gold and colored powders are sprinkled onto wet lacquer to create designs, has been practiced in Japan for centuries. Musashino, referring to the vast grasslands historically found in the Musashi region near present-day Tokyo, has been a beloved poetic subject in Japanese arts since classical times, often evoking autumn and the melancholy beauty of swaying grasses. Spring grass motifs carry associations with renewal and the gentle beauty of the changing seasons. The pairing of autumn and spring themes reflects the Japanese aesthetic appreciation for seasonal cycles. Square-form tea caddies with fitted lids represent a refined tradition within Japanese tea culture, valued for their elegant proportions and the way decoration is integrated into functional form. The designation of nushi (lacquer master) indicates specialized training and mastery within the lacquer craft tradition. Collector Appeal: Paired lacquer pieces with complementary seasonal themes offer an attractive opportunity for collectors interested in Japanese decorative arts. The contrast between monochrome gold maki-e and polychrome hand-painted decoration demonstrates the versatility of lacquer as an artistic medium. Dimensions: Diameter: 6.2 cm Height: 7 cm Weight: 43 g (each) Condition: No chips, cracks or restorations. Artist Profile: Kihei (喜平) was a Japanese lacquer master (nushi). The artist is identified on the wooden storage boxes accompanying these works with the designation "Nushi Kihei saku" (lacquer master Kihei made), indicating recognized expertise within the lacquer craft tradition. Further biographical information remains limited. 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.