Gold and Silver Larch Tree Natsume Matcha Container

This natsume is a large tea caddy traditionally used for serving usucha, known as thin tea. Crafted from mizume (Japanese cherry birch)—a fine-grained natural wood—it is meticulously finished with layers of urushi lacquer from the base coat to the final polish. Every detail, from the gold to the silver decoration, is executed with genuine gold and silver. Since the wooden foundation is shaped by hand from start to finish, completion requires years of meticulous work.

The design depicts the karamatsu (Japanese larch) motif. Rendered in radiating lines of gold and silver, it conveys both brilliance and dignity, carrying the auspicious symbolism of prosperity and longevity. The Japanese larch, found only in Japan, turns red in autumn and sheds its needles in winter, only to sprout fresh, tender green buds in spring. This cycle has long made it a symbol of renewal and the vitality of life in Japanese culture.

At the center, the motif is highlighted in gold, subtly raised to catch the light with delicate variation. Depending on the angle, it reveals shifting reflections that enrich its presence. The careful balance of design and open space allows the deep luster of the lacquer to stand out, giving the piece both elegance and depth.

The form of the caddy is gently rounded, fitting comfortably in the hand, with a lid that closes lightly and precisely. While it embodies traditional artistry, there is also a quiet modernity to its appearance, making it a piece that can be appreciated across the seasons.

Nishimoto

Nishimoto, deeply rooted in the tradition of Yamanaka lacquerware, specializes in the manufacture and sale of lacquerware, tea ceremony utensils, and related accessories. Holding a significant market share in tea ceremony items, particularly matcha bowls, Nishimoto is committed to sharing the taste and atmosphere of matcha in a way that is easy to enjoy, a sentiment reflected in every piece they create.

Yamanaka Lacquerware

Yamanaka lacquerware, also known as Yamanaka Shikki, is a kind of lacquerware produced in the Yamanaka Onsen district of Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture. This lacquerware is unique in that it blends wood grain's natural elegance with the elegant maki-e technique of sprinkling gold, silver, or other colored powder onto a lacquer painting.

With its beautiful wood texture, delicate and robust Yamanaka lacquerware incorporates a modern sense of design while inheriting a tradition that has lasted for 400 years.