This natsume was crafted by the recognized Japanese lacquer artist Takahashi Minefusa (高橋 峯房). The piece reflects a harmony between craftsmanship, nature, and poetry. The model has an upright, spherical shape (tate-maru-gata) executed in the sober Rikyū style (利休形), named after the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyū, who centered his practice on simplicity and natural beauty.
Motif
The Tatsuta-gawa motif refers to the Tatsuta River in Nara, a classic symbol of the Japanese autumn. In literature and art, this river represents impermanence (無常, mujō), falling leaves, and the passing of the seasons. The decoration is executed in maki-e: fine gold and lacquer powder work depicting floating autumn leaves on a flowing river. This poetic representation embodies the spirit of wabi-sabi—the beauty of simplicity, silence, and time.
Keyaki wood
The wood grain of the keyaki wood (欅) remains visible and is enhanced by a warm, transparent urushi lacquer layer in the kijidame lacquer style (木地溜塗). This technique literally means "wood-base finish" (kiji = wood, dame = to seal) and allows the natural structure of the wood to show through subtly. The result is a surface that looks both vibrant and understated.
Object details
Maker: Takahashi Minefusa (高橋 峯房).
Title: Tatsuta-gawa (竜田川 / 立田川)
Type: chū-natsume
Material: Kijidame-nuri Urushi maki-e
Period: 1950-1989
Diameter: ≈ 6.5 cm
Height: ≈ 6.8 cm
Condition: Excellent.
Accessories: Original tomobako with hanko and calligraphy.
Tomobako
The original wooden box (tomobako) is complete and features the handwritten text “立丸形棗 利休形”. The terms tate-maru-gata natsume and Rikyū-gata describe the shape and proportions of the natsume, and the signature “峯房（高橋）印” refers to a personal seal or signature (insho 印章) of the Japanese lacquer artist Takahashi Minefusa (高橋 峯房).
Signature and maker
Takahashi Minefusa (高橋 峯房) was a Japanese urushi and maki-e artist active in the twentieth century, likely primarily during the Shōwa period (c. 1950–1980). He primarily created objects for the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu), such as natsume (matcha tea caddies) and kōgō (incense boxes). His work is often associated with the Kaga lacquer tradition, particularly Yamanaka-nuri from Ishikawa Prefecture, a region known for refined lacquerware and maki-e decoration.
The name consists of a family name and an artist name: Takahashi (高橋) is the family name, while Minefusa (峯房) is an artist name or gō. The kanji 峯 means mountain peak and 房 can mean, among other things, bloom or cluster, allowing the name to be interpreted poetically as “bloom on the highest peak.”
Although there are multiple lacquer artists with the name Takahashi, such as Shōtei, Rakusai, and Keizan, no clear genealogical links between these makers are known. Their work likely belongs to different workshops within the Japanese lacquer art tradition.
