Golden Bamboo Nakatsugi Matcha Container

This matcha container is a type known as nakatsugi, recognizable by its cylindrical form and the joint positioned around the middle of the body. It is crafted from mizume (Japanese cherry birch), a fine natural wood, and because the wooden base is made entirely by hand, its creation requires several years of dedicated work. Against the deep black lacquer, a sprinkling of tin powder shimmers faintly, casting a gentle radiance across the scene of a bamboo grove.

The decoration centers on bamboo, a motif long revered in Japan. Bamboo has traditionally been regarded as a sacred dwelling for the divine, its upright growth symbolizing integrity and virtue. Hence, it is often likened to the ideal of the kunshi (noble person). It has also been widely used as an auspicious motif in tea utensils.

On the lid, alternating leaves are outlined in golden tin and rendered in solid color, creating a sense of depth and rhythm. Between them, bamboo joints are rendered with striking realism, where raised lines of golden tin contrast with flat surfaces to enhance the design’s three-dimensional effect.

The cylindrical form accentuates the upward thrust of the bamboo, emphasizing its freshness and clarity. The lid closes with effortless precision, while the rounded body sits comfortably in the hand. Although rooted in tradition, the piece transcends seasonal boundaries, blending seamlessly into a modern tea setting while retaining its timeless sense of refinement.

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.