{"product_id":"sumiyoshi-natsume-saijo-issai-matcha-theebus","title":"Matcha natsume Daiun 大雲 Saijō Issai","description":"\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"441\" data-start=\"112\"\u003eThis exceptional Ōnatsume bears the name \u003cstrong data-end=\"182\" data-start=\"153\"\u003e“Daiun” (大雲, Great Cloud)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a poetic reference to serenity and the flowing harmony between heaven and earth. The piece was created in the atelier of \u003cstrong data-end=\"327\" data-start=\"305\"\u003eSaijō Issai (西條一斉)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a master lacquer artist from Nara, and reflects refined craftsmanship and a deeply rooted aesthetic tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1050\" data-start=\"443\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"452\" data-start=\"443\"\u003eMotif\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"455\" data-start=\"452\"\u003eThe motif depicts the \u003cstrong data-end=\"511\" data-start=\"477\"\u003eSumiyoshi-taisha Shrine (住吉大社)\u003c\/strong\u003e in Osaka, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines, recognizable by the characteristic Sorihashi Bridge, which arches gracefully over the water. The bright red bridge contrasts with the surrounding pine trees, traditionally symbols of endurance and steadfastness. Together, they form an iconic landscape often associated with protection and purification. The scene is rendered in deep black \u003cstrong data-end=\"917\" data-start=\"899\"\u003eurushi lacquer\u003c\/strong\u003e, enhanced with \u003cstrong data-end=\"943\" data-start=\"933\"\u003emaki-e\u003c\/strong\u003e in gold powder and vermilion accents, giving the composition a subtle luster and sense of spatial depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1614\" data-start=\"1052\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1065\" data-start=\"1052\"\u003eSymbology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1068\" data-start=\"1065\"\u003eThe symbolism is reinforced by the name \u003cstrong data-end=\"1131\" data-start=\"1108\"\u003e“Daiun – Sumiyoshi”\u003c\/strong\u003e, chosen by the maker himself. \u003cstrong data-end=\"1191\" data-start=\"1162\"\u003e“Daiun” (大雲, Great Cloud)\u003c\/strong\u003e evokes stillness and the gentle, free movement of a cloud across the sky—a metaphor for the state of mind during the tea ceremony. \u003cstrong data-end=\"1338\" data-start=\"1323\"\u003e“Sumiyoshi”\u003c\/strong\u003e serves as the earthly counterpart: a tangible sacred site embodying tradition, protection, and cultural continuity. Together, they express the harmony between heaven and earth, between inner calm and ritual action—a balance that lies at the heart of \u003cstrong data-end=\"1600\" data-start=\"1589\"\u003echanoyu\u003c\/strong\u003e aesthetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eCreator: Saijō Issai (西條一斉)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eTitle:\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eDaiun Sumiyoshi (大雲)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eType: Ōnatsume\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eMaterials: wood, rushi, urushi lacquer, maki-e (powdered gold \u0026amp; vermilion)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eDiameter: ≈ 7.2 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eHeight: ≈ 7.5 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInscriptions: \u003cspan\u003eSigned 「斉」(Sai) by Saijō in red lacquer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInscriptions: Saijō Issai (box), Ikkō saku (box lid interior)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eCondition: Superficial traces of use.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eAccessories: Original tomobako with hanko, calligraphy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"90\" data-start=\"59\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"88\" data-start=\"59\"\u003eTomobako and Authenticity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"532\" data-start=\"92\"\u003eThe original \u003cstrong data-end=\"117\" data-start=\"105\"\u003etomobako\u003c\/strong\u003e (wooden presentation box) is inscribed with a brush: \u003cem data-end=\"228\" data-start=\"171\"\u003e“Made by maki-e master Saijō Issai Ōnatsume Sumiyoshi.”\u003c\/em\u003e Inside is the signature \u003cstrong data-end=\"274\" data-start=\"253\"\u003e「一高作」 (Ikkō saku)\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating that it was executed within the same atelier, most likely by a family member or student of Issai. This dual signature is characteristic of Japanese \u003cstrong data-end=\"455\" data-start=\"435\"\u003eurushi workshops\u003c\/strong\u003e, where master and apprentice together represent a single artistic lineage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1306\" data-start=\"534\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"557\" data-start=\"534\"\u003eSignature and Maker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"560\" data-start=\"557\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"575\" data-start=\"560\"\u003eSaijō Issai\u003c\/strong\u003e (b. 1937, Osaka; real name \u003cstrong data-end=\"629\" data-start=\"603\"\u003eOkutsu Yoshimine, 奥津義峰\u003c\/strong\u003e) is a Japanese master of \u003cstrong data-end=\"677\" data-start=\"655\"\u003emaki-e lacquerwork\u003c\/strong\u003e. He learned the craft from his father, \u003cstrong data-end=\"739\" data-start=\"717\"\u003eOkutsu Yōhō (奥津洋方)\u003c\/strong\u003e, and from the 1950s became active in the tradition of fine urushi art. From the 1960s onward, he was repeatedly selected for the \u003cstrong data-end=\"918\" data-start=\"869\"\u003eJapan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (日本伝統工芸展)\u003c\/strong\u003e and its regional Kinki section. In 1989, he was appointed director of the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1030\" data-start=\"993\"\u003eOsaka Crafts Association (大阪工芸協会)\u003c\/strong\u003e and received several awards for cultural and craft achievements, including the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1151\" data-start=\"1110\"\u003eOsaka Prefecture Cultural Merit Award\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1993. His atelier is located in Nara, where he continues his work in the spirit of refined \u003cstrong data-end=\"1273\" data-start=\"1246\"\u003etea ceremony aesthetics\u003c\/strong\u003e and classical Japanese design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thee van Anke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52533452210522,"sku":null,"price":325.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/2799\/7530\/files\/Saijo_Issai_43.jpg?v=1771670690","url":"https:\/\/www.vananke.com\/products\/sumiyoshi-natsume-saijo-issai-matcha-tea-caddy-en","provider":"vananke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}