A refined vessel where lustrous black and vibrant red lacquer interweave in quiet harmony, evoking the elegance of traditional Japanese tea culture. Description: This natsume (tea caddy) presents a gentle, rounded form characteristic of the Jurin style—a design favored by Hōunsai, the fifteenth Grand Master of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony. The vessel displays a striking contrast between a deep black ground and bold red lacquer, rendered in a distinctive horizontal ridged texture that encircles the entire body. Large chrysanthemum blossoms unfold gracefully across the surface, their petals radiating outward in sweeping curves, while smaller florets and delicate foliage create a rhythmic visual flow from lid to base. The red lacquer ranges from deep crimson to lighter tones, creating subtle gradations that bring life and depth to the floral motifs. The fine, concentric ridged lines covering the exterior add a tactile dimension and catch the light beautifully, enhancing the interplay between the two colors. The lid features the same decorative scheme, with the chrysanthemum design continuing seamlessly across its domed surface. Upon opening, the interior reveals a luminous gold finish that provides a warm, reflective contrast to the exterior's dramatic color palette. The base of the vessel is finished in smooth black lacquer with the same ridged texture visible on the outer surface. The piece comes housed in a fitted paulownia wood box (tomobako) inscribed with the work's title and the artist's signature, accompanied by a red seal impression. A printed leaflet (shiori) from the artist's workshop in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, is also included. Cultural & Art Context: Natsume are an essential component of the Japanese tea ceremony, serving as containers for powdered tea (matcha) during the ritual preparation. The Jurin form, with its characteristic horizontal ridged surface and rounded profile, represents a specific design preference associated with the Urasenke lineage of tea practice. Echizen lacquerware from Fukui Prefecture boasts a heritage spanning approximately 1,500 years, making it one of Japan's oldest lacquer traditions. The region's artisans have long been celebrated for their technical mastery of multiple layering techniques and decorative methods including makie (gold sprinkled designs) and chinkin (incised gold). Collector Appeal: Tea ceremony utensils of this caliber, created by established craftsmen within Japan's historic lacquer-producing regions, are seldom encountered in the international market. This piece offers collectors an opportunity to acquire a work that embodies both the refined aesthetics of the Japanese tea tradition and the technical excellence of Echizen lacquerware. Artist Profile: Nakabayashi Kōsetsu is a lacquer artist and makie craftsman (urushi nuri-shi / makie shokunin) based in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture—the historic center of Echizen lacquerware production. Working within the centuries-old tradition of this region, he specializes in tea ceremony utensils, creating pieces that integrate traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities. His workshop maintains the collaborative approach characteristic of Echizen lacquer production, where specialized artisans handle different stages of the process including wood base preparation, undercoating, middle coating, top coating, and decorative makie work. Kōsetsu's works demonstrate mastery of techniques including the distinctive ridged lacquer surface seen in this piece, as well as gold leaf application for interior finishing. Shipping / Policy: Carefully packaged and shipped from Japan by Japan Post or DHL with tracking. If you purchase multiple items, combined shipping is available. Please contact us if needed. Import duties, VAT (or equivalent consumption tax), and any other fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Guarantee: Our shop is a licensed antiques dealer in Japan. We guarantee the authenticity of this work.