Nakamura Kyozo Medium Natsume, Old Pine Maki-e with Silver Interior

A chu-natsume (medium tea caddy) decorated with old pine in gold maki-e, its interior finished in silver, by Yamanaka artist Nakamura Kyozo.

Nakamura Kyozo was born in 1932 in Yamanaka, Ishikawa Prefecture, a town famous for turned wood and urushi lacquer. The natsume, named for its jujube-fruit shape, holds powdered matcha for usucha (thin tea) and is often the most decorative object on the tea mat. The evergreen old pine, oimatsu, is a symbol of longevity and is appropriate throughout the year and for celebratory gatherings.

Details

• Artist: Nakamura Kyozo (中村恭蔵)
• Form: chu-natsume; old pine (oimatsu) maki-e; silver interior
• Size: approx. 7.3 cm diameter × 7.3 cm high
• Box: wooden box
• Condition: new

Watch: how Yamanaka lacquerware is made

A TEWAZA craft film showing Yamanaka lacquerware wood-turning and lacquering, from Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square. (A general craft video — not this piece or maker.)

Please read before ordering

• Limited availability. We confirm availability with the dealer in Japan within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.
• Urushi lacquer is durable but dislikes direct sun and very dry air; care notes are included.