{"product_id":"shiro-urushi-natsume-hashizume-an-matcha-theebus","title":"Matcha shiro-urushi natsume 橋爪庵 Hashizume-an","description":"\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-start=\"17\" data-end=\"424\"\u003eThis refined natsume (tea caddy for matcha) comes from Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga (Ishikawa) and is signed on the original wooden box (\u003cem data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"164\"\u003etomobako\u003c\/em\u003e) as 「橋爪庵 造」 (\u003cem data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"206\"\u003emade by Hashizume-an\u003c\/em\u003e), with the accompanying red workshop seal (\u003cem data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"257\"\u003ehanko\u003c\/em\u003e) containing the character 庵. The shape is the classic \u003cem data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"322\"\u003enakatsume\u003c\/em\u003e, with a medium-height, rounded silhouette suited for use within the Japanese tea ceremony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1lz480z\" data-start=\"426\" data-end=\"442\"\u003eMotif\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"926\"\u003eThe natsume is executed in white urushi (\u003cem data-end=\"54\" data-start=\"40\"\u003eshiro-urushi\u003c\/em\u003e), with a soft, warm sheen and a subtly uniform surface that emphasizes the calm, refined appearance of the lacquer. The surface is decorated with gold and silver fan motifs (\u003cem data-start=\"660\" data-end=\"675\"\u003esenmen maki-e\u003c\/em\u003e, 扇面蒔絵), incorporating seasonal flowers: plum blossom, orchid, pine, and chrysanthemum. The combination of fan and floral motifs creates a rhythmic, seasonal image in which each element is part of a continuous decorative whole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1yayslj\" data-start=\"928\" data-end=\"943\"\u003eSymbolism\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-start=\"944\" data-end=\"1409\"\u003eThe four depicted plants represent the seasons and their associated virtues within Japanese aesthetics. Plum blossom (\u003cem data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1080\"\u003eume\u003c\/em\u003e) represents resilience and new beginnings, orchid (\u003cem data-start=\"1134\" data-end=\"1139\"\u003eran\u003c\/em\u003e) represents refined elegance, chrysanthemum (\u003cem data-start=\"1177\" data-end=\"1183\"\u003ekiku\u003c\/em\u003e) represents nobility and longevity, and pine (\u003cem data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1233\"\u003ematsu\u003c\/em\u003e) represents steadfastness and immortality. Together, they form a harmonious cycle of nature that aligns with the quiet, contemplative atmosphere of the tea ceremony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"hu14v2\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"23\"\u003eShiro-urushi (白漆)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-start=\"25\" data-end=\"476\"\u003eWhite urushi (\u003cem data-start=\"37\" data-end=\"51\"\u003eshiro-urushi\u003c\/em\u003e, 白漆) is a rare and technically demanding variant of traditional Japanese lacquer (\u003cem data-start=\"136\" data-end=\"144\"\u003eurushi\u003c\/em\u003e), where natural dark resin is mixed and pigmented to achieve a light, often ivory to cream-white appearance. Unlike the deep black or reddish-brown standard lacquers, shiro-urushi is sensitive to composition, drying conditions, and oxidation, making it particularly difficult to work with stably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"800\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eHistorically, shiro-urushi was primarily used for decorative and ceremonial objects where a light, refined appearance was desired, often in combination with \u003cem data-start=\"638\" data-end=\"646\"\u003emaki-e\u003c\/em\u003e or other gold and silver accents. The contrast between the light surface and metal decoration creates a subtle, almost floating visual effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2756\" data-end=\"3169\"\u003eObject details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Hashizume-an (橋爪庵 造)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eTitle: Senmen Ichimen (洗面一面)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eTechnique: maki-e (扇面蒔絵)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: wood, urushi lacquer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eDiameter: ≈ 6.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cspan\u003eHeight\u003c\/span\u003e: ≈ 6.6 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Excellent, undamaged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eDate: ca. 1980–2000\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAccessories: original tomobako (共箱) and cloth (共布)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomobako and authenticity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe piece is signed on the original wooden box (\u003cem data-end=\"997\" data-start=\"987\"\u003etomobako\u003c\/em\u003e) as 「橋爪庵 造」 (\u003cem data-end=\"1031\" data-start=\"1012\"\u003eHashizume-an saku\u003c\/em\u003e, “made by Hashizume-an”) and features a red workshop seal (\u003cem data-end=\"1110\" data-start=\"1103\"\u003ehanko\u003c\/em\u003e) with the character 庵 (\u003cem data-end=\"1136\" data-start=\"1132\"\u003ean\u003c\/em\u003e). The signature is associated with the Hashizume lacquerware family from Kuroe, Kainan (Wakayama), a historic center of Japanese urushi production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hashizume workshop has been active for several generations in traditional lacquer techniques, including \u003cem data-end=\"1396\" data-start=\"1388\"\u003emaki-e\u003c\/em\u003e, and produces both functional and ceremonial objects within Japanese tea culture. In this context, the name “Hashizume-an” is used as a workshop or artist name within the family production practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"2210\" data-start=\"2188\"\u003eSignature and maker\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe signature 橋爪庵 is the formal gagō (雅号 — artist name) of a master within the Hashizume family. In all probability, this refers to Hashizume Yasuo (橋爪靖雄, b. 1935), a recognized lacquerware artist who was active for over six decades, received multiple national awards, including a distinction from the Japanese Ministry of Culture, and holds the title of \u003cem\u003eWakayama Prefectural Master Craftsman\u003c\/em\u003e. His specialty includes exactly this type of maki-e tea ceremony object. An alternative attribution to his father Hashizume Yoshio (橋爪義雄), whose work was purchased by the Imperial Court, cannot be entirely excluded in the absence of a public archive.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thee van Anke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52609839628634,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/2799\/7530\/files\/Waaier11_e4a2e4d3-1f56-4880-8c59-715c7fa6fbbe.jpg?v=1763931509","url":"https:\/\/www.vananke.com\/products\/shiro-urushi-natsume-hashizume-an-matcha-en","provider":"vananke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}