Matcha natsume Hagi 萩 and Hibari 雲雀 Nakamura Sōetsu

This refined chū-natsume was crafted by the renowned lacquer master Nakamura Sōetsu (中村宗悦), known for his extremely precise and natural maki-e technique. The object is executed in the classical style of Ii Sōkan-gonomi (井伊宗観好), in which simplicity, elegance, and subtle refinement converge within the aesthetics of the Japanese tea ceremony.

The Motif

On the exterior, a landscape with hibari (雲雀, larks) is depicted in fine hiramaki-e, playfully foraging among swaying autumn grasses. The scene is subtly complemented with gold powder accents that evoke a sense of light, air, and movement. The inside of the lid is separately decorated with hagi (萩, bush clover), creating a refined inner-outer composition (uchi-soto maki-e) that deepens the seasonal theme.

Symbolism

Hagi belongs to the Seven Autumn Flowers (aki no nanakusa) and symbolizes modesty, grace, and the gentle melancholy of autumn. The hibari symbolizes freedom, joy, and ascent to light. Together, they form a poetic seasonal image in which earth and sky, stillness and movement, balance each other. Within the tea ceremony, this combination refers to mono no aware: the refined beauty of transience and the awareness of the fleeting moment.

Object Details

• Maker: Nakamura Sōetsu (中村宗悦)
  
• Type: chū-natsume
  
• Material: wood, red urushi lacquer shu-urushi, maki-e
  
• Diameter: ≈ 6.8 cm
  
• Height: ≈ 7 cm
• Condition: Excellent condition.
  
• Accessories: Original tomobako with hanko, calligraphy.
• Accessories: Cloth (共布) including the same maker's stamp

Signature and Maker

Nakamura Sōetsu (b. 1932) is a Japanese master of traditional lacquerware (urushi, maki-e). He learned the craft at a young age from his father and later specialized in making objects for the Japanese tea ceremony, such as natsume (tea caddies), chabako, and other chadōgu. His work is known for elegant, nature-inspired designs (birds, flowers, plants) and the use of refined techniques such as gold maki-e and mother-of-pearl inlay. He has received multiple national awards in Japan, and his work is collected internationally. In 1987, he also received an official tea ceremony name, confirming his status within tea art.