Japanese lacquer, or Urushi, is the purified sap of the Asian lacquer tree, which has been used for thousands of years in Japan to coat objects from crockery to furniture and buildings. When dry, the lacquer is both heat and water resistant, providing protection and strength to underlying materials: very often wood, but also bamboo, paper and leather. Pure Urushi is transparent, while the black and red lacquers most associated with Japanese lacquerware, or Shikki (漆器, lit. "Urushi utensil"), are achieved with the addition of mineral pigments. On top of this, decorative details such as Maki-e (蒔絵) “sprinkled pictures” or Raden (螺鈿) “shell inlay” may be applied.
Natsume
Hanamaru
Yamanaka
SKU
0198
A medium-sized Natsume Matcha container coated in bright vermilion Urushi lacquer and adorned with gold Maki-e. The Hanamaru design depicts various flowers and foliage in circles, which are seen to represent infinity, with no beginning or end, and thus considered an auspicious motif.
| Item | Ceremonial Matcha container |
| Type | Chu-Natsume (中棗) |
| Origin | Yamanaka, Ishikawa, Japan |
| Colour | Vermillion, gold |
| Dimensions | Ø6.6 x 6.9cm |
| Material | Magnolia obovata |
| Lacquer | Urushi |
| Decoration | Maki-e |
| Motif | Hanamaru (花丸 "flower circles") |
| Packaging | Gift box |
Each piece is handmade and unique, therefore colour and decoration may vary slightly
In stock
Yamanaka Shikki 山中漆器
The small hot spring resort town of Yamanaka Onsen has not only been immortalised in numerous Haiku by the celebrated Japanese poet Bashō extolling the virtues of its rejuvenating waters – but is also renowned for its rich lacquerware heritage. Nestled amongst the mountains of Ishikawa prefecture, on the northwestern coast of Japan, Yamanaka Onsen’s humid climate is perfectly suited for working with natural Urushi lacquer. The origins of Yamanaka Shikki or lacquerware, can be traced back to around 1580 with the arrival of a group of woodworkers from the nearby city of Echizen, who specialised in the art of Rokuro-biki: woodturning. The goods they produced were sold as souvenirs to the onsen hot spring tourists and the area soon became known for its fine lacquerware, particularly tea ceremony accessories.
Natsume 棗
The Natsume is a container for storing and presenting Matcha during tea ceremonies where Usucha (薄茶) "thin tea" is served, and as such may also be referred to as Usuchaki (薄茶器), literally "Usucha vessel". It is named for its resemblance in shape to the natsume or jujube red date, and is typically made of lacquered wood or bamboo, often adorned with intricate decorations. The Natsume is noted to be a favourite ceremonial utensil of the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), and since the Edo period (1603-1868) has been an essential feature of the Matcha tea ceremony.
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