Japanese Lacquered Maki-E Natsume in Kodaiji Style

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A Japanese lacquered tea caddy (known as Natsume) with fine Maki-e decoration circa 18-19th century Edo to Meiji period. The … Read more A Japanese lacquered tea caddy (known as Natsume) with fine Maki-e decoration circa 18-19th century Edo to Meiji period. The large-sized natsume with a fitted lid, sometimes also called usuchaki, was traditionally used to store tea powder for ceremonial Chado. The surface is decorated in maki-e of fine scrolling vines with hanging guards. The decorative style of the surface was in a typical style called "Kodaiji style" originated in the 16th century during Momoyama period from the Kodaiji, a Zen Buddhism temple located in Kyoto. The characteristics of this style include the following: a pure black background on which various shades and thickness of shimmering gold maki-e were applied, creating a beguiling contrast. The design tends to be simple but elegant with emphasis on motif repetition and geometrical forms, with the favorite subjects being the floral patterns of the fall. The technique used was revolutionary for the time with nashiji being used for part of the design instead of as background. This is called e-nashiji. Often there are outlines of the floral that was executed with dense gold powder (as seen in alternate leaves infill with gold powder on this piece). It is noted that the black background has faded into a deep brown due to the light exposure, indicating the age of this piece. There are also patina and wears inside the container apparently from use. The natsume comes with a worn storage wood box (tomobako) with kanji ink inscription on the lid but they have faded and become partially illegible. We can make out the word maki-e large natsume and possible the name of the Natsume "Dusk". Under the tomobako, it was clearly marked "Jisho-in Holding". Jisho-ins are temples for Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism and origin place for the famous Japanese cat Jizo. There are many Jisho-ins across Japan, so it is not possible to know which temple this natsume used to belong to. See less