{"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 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA refined ōnatsume by maki-e master Saijō Issai (西條一斎), executed in gold maki-e on deep black urushi lacquer with raden inlay. This exceptional piece combines classical Japanese tea ceremony aesthetics with the rich symbolism of the Shikunshi. Supplied with the original signed tomobako.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lid forms the visual centerpiece of the piece, featuring an intricately worked chrysanthemum beneath blossoming plum branches. Among the blossoms are refined round raden accents of inlaid mother-of-pearl, showing a soft iridescent sheen depending on the light. The decoration continues around the body with graceful seasonal plants and landscape elements that give the object movement and depth without disturbing the harmony of the design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMotif\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShikunshi \u003c\/strong\u003e(四君子) literally means \"Four Noble Gentlemen\"\u003cb id=\"docs-internal-guid-0ee4b151-7fff-bb4a-a634-4e4ca86eaf2b\"\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eor \"Four Gentlemen.\" Within Japanese art and literati tradition, this term refers not to people, but to ideal character traits of a cultivated and refined person.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlum blossom (ume) — resilience and renewal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrchid — refinement and inner purity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBamboo — flexibility and steadfastness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChrysanthemum (kiku) — dignity and contemplative serenity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot only beautiful to behold, but also symbolically charged. In the tea ceremony, each motif was consciously chosen to evoke an atmosphere.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSymbolism\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA particular feature of the Shikunshi motif is its dual meaning. On the one hand, the plants show the natural cycle of the seasons; on the other hand, they depict inner qualities that were considered ideal within the tradition of scholars, poets, and tea masters. The decoration is therefore not only aesthetic, but also symbolically and philosophically charged.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn Japanese culture, these plants represent the ideal mindset: how a person thinks, feels, and acts from inner values. Blooming in the cold, bending without breaking, fragrant without being conspicuous, remaining dignified when all else withers. Not status, but character is the measure. A natsume with this motif quietly carries that message into the tea room.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObject Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker: Saijō Issai (西條一斎)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitle on tomobako: 蒔絵師 \/ Maki-e master\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType: Ōnatsume \/ large tea natsume\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMotif: Shikunshi \/ Four Noble Gentlemen (四君子)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnique: Gold maki-e with raden inlay on black urushi lacquer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial: Wood with urushi lacquer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight: \u003cspan dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"VIpgJd-yAWNEb-VIpgJd-fmcmS-sn54Q\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eApprox. 7.5cm, Width: Approx. 7.5cm, Depth: Approx. 7.5cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod: Shōwa period (mid to late 20th century)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccessories: Original signed tomobako\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCondition: Very good, slight signs of use and age consistent with age and use\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomobako\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original signed tomobako (wooden storage box) states \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e四君子 大棗 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShikunshi Ōnatsume \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Large natsume with the Four Noble Gentlemen motif”. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditionally, the box bears the signature: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e塗師 西條一斎 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNurishi Saijō Issai \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Maki-e master\u003cb id=\"docs-internal-guid-ca9ce9a0-7fff-ebbd-a5ea-39021eb37416\"\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eSaijō Issai”. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe presence of the original tomobako enhances both the provenance and collectible nature of the object. Within Japanese tea utensils, a signed storage box is an important part of the presentation and documentation of a work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2188\" data-end=\"2210\"\u003eSignature and maker\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eSaijō Issai (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 became active in the tradition of fine urushi work from the 1950s. From the 1960s, he was repeatedly selected 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 cultural and craft merit (including the Osaka Prefecture Cultural Merit Award in 1993). His studio is located in Nara, where he continues his work in the spirit of refined tea ceremony aesthetics and classical Japanese design.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eNew photos coming soon\u003c\/div\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","provider":"vananke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}