【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Shipping Details: Most items are shipped via Japan Post EMS (airmail). If you are in a hurry, we can arrange shipping via DHL or FedEx upon request for an additional fee. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Product details】 This refined Rikyū-natsume tea caddy is the work of Chahira Issai II (茶平一斎), a renowned lacquer artisan from Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, whose family studio has specialised in tea utensils since the mid-20th century. The exterior features a lustrous black lacquer surface, adorned with intricate maki-e designs depicting a series of classical Japanese landscapes known as the “Eight Views”, along with elegantly rendered pine trees. Accents of nashiji and gold leaf enhance the composition, lending depth and shimmer to the scene. Maki-e is a traditional Japanese decorative technique where gold or silver powder is sprinkled onto wet lacquer to produce intricate designs. Nashiji employs a similar method, using gold or silver flecks to achieve a pear skin-like texture, offering a unique shimmer and depth to the surface. The interior and base are finished using a refined method where pure silver foil and silver powder are sealed under transparent lacquer, creating a luminous metallic surface with soft radiance. Wajima lacquerware is celebrated for its durability and beauty, achieved through a meticulous process involving over 23 stages and more than 124 individual steps. This results in a robust and graceful finish, with every detail—from the fine, deliberate brush lines to the subtle textures—showcasing the artisan’s refined skill. Chahira Issai II (born 1948) succeeded his father, the first Issai, who founded the Chahira Lacquerware Studio as the first in Wajima to specialise in tea utensils. After graduating from Rikkyo University, he trained under his father and inherited the name “Issai,” which was originally bestowed by the head of the Sōhen-ryū tea school. The piece comes complete with its original signed wooden box and matching signed yellow silk cloth. Very good condition with minimal signs of use. Please refer to the photos for details. Dimensions: approx. H 6.5 cm W 6.5 cm D 6.5 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!