Wagtails at the Waterfall Natsume Matcha Container

With wagtails along a clear stream and a waterfall framed by green maples, this natsume matcha container, crafted by maki-e artist Hariya Masayuki, captures the beauty of  Japan’s summer scenery in vivid detail. One bird rests on a rock while the other soars into the sky, completing a design that evokes clarity and vitality.

Used to hold matcha powder when making usucha, thin matcha, this natsume adds a refreshing atmosphere to tea gatherings. Acrylic was chosen for the transparency it provides. The green of matcha powder shows through, revealing a natural expression that brings new depth to the artist’s vision. The green maples painted above the waterfall seem reflected on the water’s surface, a visual shift that heightens the impression of cool refinement. 

The design employs the decorative lacquerware techniques of both hira maki-e and taka maki-e. Hira maki-e involves painting patterns with lacquer, sprinkling gold or silver powder before it hardens, then coating with clear lacquer and polishing to create a smooth, luminous surface. This technique allows the scenery to emerge with radiant definition within the transparent acrylic.

For the taka maki-e technique, a raised ground is prepared with layers of lacquer and then decorated with maki-e, producing a three-dimensional effect. The repeated polishing required makes this among the most technically demanding forms of maki-e. In this piece, a touch of rust-colored lacquer elevates the rocks, giving them a rugged, natural texture.

But the appeal of this natsume lies not only in its techniques but also in its dual perspectives. Viewed from the outside, the lid presents a realistic, refreshing scene of nature. From the inside, however, gold powder creates a more decorative brilliance—each offering a distinct expression of artistry.

By layering traditional methods onto a modern medium, Hariya pursues new expressions of maki-e. This natsume is a refined work that brings a fresh breeze to the world of tea.

Hariya Masayuki

Hariya Masayuki is a maki-e artist specializing in Yamanaka lacquerware. Raised in a family of artisans, Hariya grew up surrounded by the tools and materials of the trade. This environment gave him an early and intimate familiarity with the world of craftsmanship. In his late teens, he encountered the works of Japan’s designated Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as Matsuda Gonroku and Terai Naoji, at a museum in Kanazawa Prefecture, an experience that sparked his lifelong fascination with maki-e. 

Hariya faithfully preserves traditional techniques, while also incorporating modern materials and ideas. In doing so, he expands lacquer art beyond its conventional boundaries and opens up new creative possibilities.

Laque de Yamanaka

La laque de Yamanaka, également connue sous le nom de Yamanaka Shikki, est un type de laque produite dans le district thermal de Yamanaka, à Kaga, dans la préfecture d'Ishikawa. Elle se distingue par l'alliance de l'élégance naturelle du grain du bois et du raffinement de la laque. maki-e technique consistant à saupoudrer de la poudre d'or, d'argent ou d'autres poudres colorées sur une peinture laquée.

Avec sa magnifique texture de bois, la laque Yamanaka, à la fois délicate et robuste, allie un sens moderne du design à une tradition vieille de 400 ans.