{"product_id":"natsume-oshita-kosen","title":"Camellia usucha natsume 椿紋薄茶器 Oshita Kosen","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis tea caddy (\u003cem data-start=\"14\" data-end=\"23\"\u003enatsume\u003c\/em\u003e) by Ōshita Kōsen (大下香仙), a pupil of master Ōshita Sekka (1874–1960) from Kanazawa, belongs to the refined Kaga \u003cem data-start=\"128\" data-end=\"136\"\u003emaki-e\u003c\/em\u003e tradition, known for its subtle use of gold and vermilion powder. The camellia motif (\u003cem data-start=\"230\" data-end=\"239\"\u003etsubaki\u003c\/em\u003e, 椿) is often one of the first flowers to appear in the tearoom when nature is still bare.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMotif\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn the dark lacquer base, a refined camellia motif (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003etsubaki\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 椿) is applied with gold and vermilion accents. The round petals and balanced composition closely align with the aesthetic of Kaga \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003emaki-e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which focuses on subtle decoration and refined material execution. The simple yet powerful form of the camellia makes it particularly suitable as a decorative theme within the world of the tea ceremony.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSymbolism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe camellia (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003etsubaki\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) is considered a traditional symbol of purity, renewal, and quiet beauty in Japan. Because it blooms when many other plants are still bare, it is seen as a harbinger of spring and associated with inner strength and understated elegance. Within the tea ceremony, the flower also represents hospitality, mindfulness of the moment, and seasonal sensitivity, values closely linked to the spirit of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewabi-sabi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003echadō\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 data-end=\"3169\" data-start=\"2756\"\u003eObject details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eMaker: Ōshita Kōsen (大下香仙)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eTitle: Tsubaki-mon usucha-ki (椿紋薄茶器)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eType: Hiramakie natsume\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eMaterial: Urushi maki-e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eDiameter: ≈ 6.4 cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eHeight: ≈ 6.8 cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eCondition: In very good condition with minimal signs of use.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eAccessories: Original tomobako with hanko and calligraphy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eExtra : \u003c\/span\u003eBiography of the maker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomobako and authenticity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"106\"\u003eOn the tomobako (the original wooden storage box), the right side bears the calligraphy: 椿紋薄茶器 (tsubaki-mon usucha-ki) \u003cem data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"188\"\u003e“Camellia-motif tea caddy for thin tea.” \u003c\/em\u003eThe bottom left bears the maker's signature: 香仙作 (Kōsen saku) – \u003cem data-start=\"262\" data-end=\"285\"\u003e“Made by Kōsen,” \u003c\/em\u003efollowed by a red seal (香仙印, Kōsen in), the personal stamp of the artist Ōshita Kōsen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"106\"\u003eThe document confirms that this tea caddy truly originates from a recognized professional lacquer artist of the Kaga school, with official memberships and teaching positions, strong evidence of authenticity and artistic background.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003ch3 data-end=\"2210\" data-start=\"2188\"\u003eSignature and maker\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe Ōshita Kōsen family is one of Japan’s longest-running maki-e workshops. The third generation, Ōshita Kōsen, maker of the camellia-motif natsume, likely crafted around 1965–1975, embodied the core of Kaga’s aesthetic: refinement, balance, and timeless craftsmanship.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe current workshop, led by Ōshita Kōsei (fifth generation), continues this tradition and introduced Classic Ko, a contemporary interpretation of urushi art where traditional techniques are applied to modern objects such as jewelry and design art pieces. Thus, the Kōsen name remains a symbol of Japanese craftsmanship, heritage, and aesthetic beauty to this day. \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thee van Anke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52479194136922,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/2799\/7530\/files\/Camellia2.jpg?v=1772964701","url":"https:\/\/www.vananke.com\/products\/natsume-oshita-kosen-en","provider":"vananke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}