Japanse natsume Chiku maki-e 竹蒔絵 Kōgetsu

This extraordinary natsume was crafted by the lacquer artist Kōgetsu (江月). The piece features a written endorsement (kakitsuke) in the lid of the tomobako by Fujii Kaidō, the 515th abbot of the Daitoku-ji temple in Kyoto, one of the most authoritative names in the Japanese tea ceremony world.

Motif

On the deep black lacquer ground, the branches and leaves of bamboo are applied in refined gold and silver maki-e, dense and lifelike, as if the wind is blowing through them. The lines are extremely fine and demonstrate a master's hand: thin shoots alternate with full leaves fanning out in all directions.

Symbolism

In Japanese culture, bamboo is one of the three "winter friends" (歳寒三友, saikansanyū), alongside pine and plum. It represents strength, flexibility, and resilience: bamboo bends in the storm but does not break. In the tea ceremony, bamboo symbolizes modesty and self-control, precisely the qualities that the master of wabi-cha strives for.

Fujii Kaidō's kakitsuke

A 書付 (kakitsuke) is a handwritten inscription by an authoritative tea master or temple abbot on the tomobako, officially recognizing the object as excellent. Fujii Kaidō (藤井誡堂, 1898–1984) was the 515th abbot of Daitoku-ji, historically the spiritual heart of the Japanese tea ceremony and also the head priest of the Sangenin subtemple.

After World War II, he played a key role in the reconstruction of Daitoku-ji and guided Kyoto potters in the revival of historical ceramic styles. He himself crafted tea bowls, tea scoops, and calligraphy works, and was regarded as one of the most beloved and authoritative abbots in the world of the tea ceremony. His kakitsuke was not given routinely; he assessed each object with genuine knowledge and deep understanding. Anyone who sees his name on a tomobako knows that the piece has stood the test of scrutiny.

Object details

• Maker: Kōgetsu (江月) — maki-e artist
• Title: Chiku maki-e Ōnatsume (竹蒔絵大棗)
• Technique: Gold and silver maki-e on black urushi lacquer
• Material: Lacquered wood (urushi)
• Diameter: ≈ 7.2 cm
• Height: ≈ 7.3 cm
• Condition: Very good, slight signs of use, no scratches on the lacquer
• Accessories: Original tomobako with Kōgetsu's seal, 書付
• Lid: Red kao
  • 造 (tsukuru) — "made by"
  • 江 (kō) — first character of Kōgetsu
    
• Kakitsuke:
  • 大徳寺 Daitoku-ji temple
  • 五百十五世 the 515th generation/abbot
  • 黒巖 (Kokugan) and 誡堂 (Kaidō)
• Accessories: cloth gourd emblem with 江月 characters

Signature and maker

The seal on the tomobako and the accompanying cloth show the characteristic gourd emblem (瓢箪) containing the characters 江月, Kōgetsu's personal seal. The name 江月 literally means river moonlight. This subtly reappears in the work: amidst the golden bamboo leaves, some leaves are deliberately rendered in silver, the moonlight that glides over the branches at night.