Natsume 棗 in Sakurai lacquer – Namiguruma 波車 – gold/silver maki-e & nashi-ji – signed Kōhō 光峰 & Kōshun 光春

The natsume is a traditional Japanese tea box. It was originally used to store and present matcha during the tea ceremony 茶の湯 chanoyu.

📐 Features

Origin: Japan – Sakurai-nuri 桜井塗, Imabari, Ehime, discovered in Hiroshima Prefecture
Estimated period: Shōwa era, circa 1960-1980
Material: Black lacquered wood, urushi lacquer and gold and silver metallic powders
Techniques: Hira-maki-e 平蒔絵, kin-gin maki-e 金銀蒔絵 and nashiji 梨子地
Design: Namiguruma 波車 / katawaguruma 片輪車, cartwheels in the waves
Dimensions/weight: Ø 9 cm × H 5.7 cm, 53 g
Artisans: Kōshun 光春 seal: artisan/workshop; design signed by Kōhō 光峰
Box: Original wooden tomobako, bearing the inscription 桜井塗, the Kōshun 光春 seal and the Kōhō 光峰筆 signature
Condition: Very fine vintage condition, with glossy black lacquer and a beautifully preserved design. A few minor traces of use inside the lid. See photographs for details.

Description

This hira-natsume (a wide and low natsume) is a beautiful piece of Japanese craftsmanship, originating from the Sakurai-nuri 桜井塗 tradition in Ehime Prefecture, renowned for its lacquerware and refined maki-e designs.

Its low and generous silhouette highlights the namiguruma 波車 design, depicting ox cartwheels partially submerged in the waves. Also known as katawaguruma 片輪車, this ancient design evokes the Heian period custom of dipping wooden wheels in water to preserve their flexibility.

The design is executed in hira-maki-e 平蒔絵, a flat lacquer technique using fine metallic powders. Gold and silver depict the wheels and waves against the deep black background. The nashiji 梨子地, a technique involving the application of gold particles into the fresh lacquer to resemble pear skin, is used on one of the wheels on the lid.

The wheels extend onto the walls of the natsume, creating a continuous composition where the gold and silver reflections play with the brilliance of the lacquer.

The tomobako box bears the inscription 桜井塗 / Sakurai-nuri, accompanied by the 光春 / Kōshun seal of the artisan or workshop. The interior signature 光峰筆 / Kōhō hitsu, “painted by Kōhō,” identifies the designer. Probably the maki-e master named Kōhō, mentioned in the historical archives of Ehime and active in the Sakurai tradition.

🧽 Care instructions

Clean gently by hand, without detergents or abrasives
Dry immediately with a soft cloth
Avoid prolonged immersion and direct heat
Store in a dry place, away from sunlight

🦝 Our opinion

We really love the shape of this hira-natsume , which leaves more room for the design, and its namiguruma design, combining gold, silver and nashiji, is a beautiful showcase of Japanese lacquer techniques! We also love the origin of this natsume: Sakurai lacquer from Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku (one of our favorite prefectures in Japan)! A superb piece!

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