{"product_id":"maki-e-shikunshi-onatsume-saijo-issai","title":"Shikunshi Maki-e Ōnatsume (Four Gentlemen Maki-e Large Tea Caddy) by Saijō Issai","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"380\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eA sophisticated ōnatsume by maki-e master \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eSaijō Issai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, executed in gold-colored maki-e on deep black urushi lacquer with refined raden mother-of-pearl inlay. This exceptional piece unites the aesthetics of the Japanese tea ceremony with the rich symbolism of the Shikunshi motif (四君子), the \"Four Noble Gentlemen.\" Comes with the original signed tomobako.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"849\" data-start=\"822\" data-section-id=\"9qbvn0\"\u003eMotif\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"820\" data-start=\"382\"\u003eThe lid forms the visual centerpiece of the object, featuring a richly detailed chrysanthemum beneath flowering plum branches. Subtle round raden accents are placed among the blossoms, showing a soft, iridescent sheen depending on the light. Around the body, the decoration continues with graceful seasonal plants and landscape elements, giving the design depth and movement without disturbing the harmony of the whole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1hxnp6d\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"12\"\u003eShikunshi\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"14\" data-end=\"215\"\u003eShikunshi literally means \"Four Noble Gentlemen\" and refers to ideal human qualities within Japanese art and culture. Each of the four plants represents a specific inner quality:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"217\" data-end=\"427\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"u9uia6\" data-start=\"217\" data-end=\"271\"\u003ePlum blossom (\u003cem data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"240\"\u003eume\u003c\/em\u003e) — resilience and renewal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1xqnfdq\" data-start=\"272\" data-end=\"322\"\u003eOrchid — refinement and inner purity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1c58idb\" data-start=\"323\" data-end=\"368\"\u003eBamboo — flexibility and steadfastness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"xdxfd1\" data-start=\"369\" data-end=\"427\"\u003eChrysanthemum (\u003cem data-start=\"381\" data-end=\"387\"\u003ekiku\u003c\/em\u003e) — dignity and contemplative calm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"747\"\u003eWithin the tea ceremony, such motifs were deliberately chosen to evoke an atmosphere of tranquility, refinement, and mindfulness. The Shikunshi theme represents not only the natural cycle of the seasons but also moral and spiritual ideals highly valued by scholars, poets, and tea masters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"yg7xzh\" data-start=\"749\" data-end=\"785\"\u003eSymbolism\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"1107\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eIn Japanese culture, these plants symbolize inner balance and character: blooming in the cold, bending without breaking, maintaining a modest presence without stepping into the foreground, and remaining dignified even as everything else withers. A \u003cem data-start=\"1021\" data-end=\"1030\"\u003enatsume\u003c\/em\u003e with this motif brings this symbolism into the tea room in a subtle way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1973\" data-start=\"1956\" data-section-id=\"wc1i6\"\u003eObject Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2502\" data-start=\"1975\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2030\" data-start=\"1975\" data-section-id=\"1fkpvea\"\u003eMaker: \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eSaijō Issai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e (西條一斎)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2074\" data-start=\"2031\" data-section-id=\"hehld9\"\u003eTitle on tomobako: 蒔絵師 \/ Maki-e master\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2113\" data-start=\"2075\" data-section-id=\"6txy1q\"\u003eType: Ōnatsume \/ large tea natsume\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2160\" data-start=\"2114\" data-section-id=\"1t8wsvl\"\u003eMotif: Shikunshi \/ Four Noble Gentlemen (四君子)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2230\" data-start=\"2161\" data-section-id=\"1utkeui\"\u003eTechnique: Gold-colored maki-e with raden inlay on black urushi lacquer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2265\" data-start=\"2231\" data-section-id=\"185z5gp\"\u003eMaterial: Wood with urushi lacquer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2304\" data-start=\"2266\" data-section-id=\"1h1p65q\"\u003eDimensions: approx. 7.5 × 7.5 × 7.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2357\" data-start=\"2305\" data-section-id=\"1thdu16\"\u003ePeriod: Shōwa period, mid to late 20th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2405\" data-start=\"2358\" data-section-id=\"1cti2uo\"\u003eAccessories: Original signed tomobako\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2502\" data-start=\"2406\" data-section-id=\"yrlfoa\"\u003eCondition: Very good, with light signs of wear consistent with age and use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2515\" data-start=\"2504\" data-section-id=\"999xej\"\u003eTomobako\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3037\" data-start=\"2517\"\u003eThe original signed tomobako (wooden storage box) is inscribed 四君子 大棗 — \u003cem data-end=\"2609\" data-start=\"2589\"\u003eShikunshi Ōnatsume\u003c\/em\u003e (“large natsume with the Four Noble Gentlemen motif”). Additionally, the box bears the signature 塗師 西條一斎 — \u003cem data-end=\"2730\" data-start=\"2709\"\u003eNurishi Saijō Issai\u003c\/em\u003e (“Lacquer master Saijō Issai”). The presence of the original tomobako enhances both the provenance and the collectability of the object. Within the tradition of Japanese tea objects, a signed storage box forms an important part of a work's presentation, authenticity, and documentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3060\" data-start=\"3039\" data-section-id=\"14w6rvu\"\u003eSignature and maker\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"3824\" data-start=\"3062\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eSaijō Issai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e (b. 1937, Osaka; real name 奥津義峰 \/ Okutsu Yoshimine) is a Japanese master of maki-e lacquerware. He learned the craft from his father, Okutsu Yōhō (奥津洋方), and was active in the tradition of fine urushi work from the 1950s onwards. From the 1960s, he was selected multiple times for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (日本伝統工芸展) and its regional Kinki section. In 1989, he was appointed director of the Osaka Crafts Association (大阪工芸協会) and received several awards for his cultural and artisanal contributions, including the Osaka Prefecture Cultural Merit Award in 1993. From his studio in Nara, he continues the tradition of sophisticated tea ceremony aesthetics and classical Japanese lacquerware through his students.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thee van Anke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53778506154330,"sku":null,"price":325.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/2799\/7530\/files\/i-img1200x900-17713121500312ykdtly31482.jpg?v=1779725770","url":"https:\/\/www.vananke.com\/products\/maki-e-shikunshi-onatsume-saijo-issai-en","provider":"vananke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}