Item Description This is a finely crafted kōgō (incense container) for the tea ceremony, created by the lacquer artist Nakamura Soetsu 中村宗悦 (b. 1932) of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The container is carved from a natural wood form that echoes the cross-section of a tree trunk, with the bark left uncut along the rim to preserve its organic, rustic character. The lid is decorated in maki-e lacquer with a poetic design of wild geese in flight beneath a full moon, rendered in gold and silver powder against the natural wood ground, with delicate reed motifs sweeping across the lower portion of the composition. Small accents of red lacquer mark the birds' beaks, adding a subtle touch of colour to the otherwise gold-and-silver palette. The piece is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako), inscribed on the lid with the title "月に雁蒔絵香合" (Kōgō with Maki-e Design of Geese Under the Moon) and the artist's name "中村宗悦", confirming authorship. This kōgō would make a refined and evocative addition to a collection of Japanese tea ceremony utensils, combining technical lacquer craftsmanship with a classic seasonal poetic theme. Size Height: 3 cm Width: 7 cm Depth: 5.8 cm Condition The piece is in excellent condition with no visible damage or flaws noted upon inspection; the maki-e decoration and bark-edge rim are well preserved. Artist Profile Nakamura Soetsu (中村宗悦), born in 1932, is a lacquer artist from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. In his teenage years he learned the kyūshitsu (髹漆) technique from his father, one of the oldest methods in Japanese lacquer art, in which lacquer is built up on a base using spatulas and brushes, requiring exceptional skill to leave no visible tool marks. His signature style combines this kyūshitsu foundation with shin-nuri (true black lacquer) and maki-e (gold and silver sprinkled decoration) techniques. In 1967 he received instruction in the tea ceremony from the monk Nakao Sōwa of Tokuon-ji temple, after which he devoted himself fully to the creation of tea utensils. He went on to earn multiple awards at the National Lacquerware Exhibition (Zenkoku Shikki-ten), including the Forestry Agency Director-General Prize (1979), the Governor's Prize (1982), and the Seishitsu Kumiai Prize (1983). In 1987 he received the tea name "Sōkyō," and in 1992 was awarded the rank of Associate Professor of the Tea Ceremony. In 1994 he received instruction in ceramics from Ueno Yoichi, and in 1996 his work was accepted into the Ishikawa Prefectural Exhibition. Recognised as a Yamanaka maki-e artist from Ishikawa Prefecture and a multiple prize-winner at the National Lacquerware Exhibition, his works, including kōgō, natsume, and other tea utensils, are actively sought after in the Japanese antiques and fine art market. Additional Information Artist: Nakamura Soetsu (中村宗悦), lacquer artist, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan Medium: Wood with gold and silver maki-e lacquer decoration Accessories: Original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) Use: Incense container (kōgō) for the tea ceremony NOITICE: The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.