Natsume, Lacquered Tea Caddy, Asagao - Japan

Tea caddy (natsume) for matcha used in the tea ceremony.

This elegant Wajima lacquerware features a delicate maki-e design of morning glory (Asagao) flowers on a deep black lacquer background.

The subtly shaded flowers bloom across the lid, while golden leaves and gently winding vines flow naturally around the box. 

In Japan, the morning glory is admired for its brief but beautiful bloom, a symbol of fleeting love, the transience of life, and the shortness of summer.

For the tea ceremony, the tea master selects his items according to the seasons, guests, and events...

This natsume, therefore, evokes summer.

Artist: Sôyô Yamagishi
Japan, 7.3 x 7.4 cm.

Comes with its original box signed by the artist.

Yamagishi Sôyô is a multi-award-winning Japanese lacquer artist from Wajima.

He received the prestigious Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Award in 2016, and the work for which he received this award was dedicated to the Meiji Jingu Shrine.
He also received the Forestry Agency Commissioner’s Award (2015) and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (2018)