Horaisan Maki-e O-Natsume by Osamu Tanaka – Japanese Lacquer Matcha Caddy

Horaisan Maki-e O-Natsume by Osamu Tanaka

An elegant O-Natsume (大棗) by Japanese lacquer artist Osamu Tanaka (田中修), decorated with a traditional Horaisan (蓬莱山) maki-e design.

Horaisan, or Mount Horai, is a legendary mountain associated with an ancient paradise where immortals were believed to dwell. In Japanese art and decorative traditions, the Horaisan motif came to symbolize longevity, prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.

Because of these auspicious associations, Horaisan has long been favored for celebratory occasions and New Year settings. Its meaningful symbolism makes this natsume particularly appropriate for Shogatsu (New Year), Hatsugama, celebratory chakai, and other auspicious tea gatherings.

The landscape is expressed through maki-e, the traditional Japanese lacquer technique in which metallic powders are applied to create designs on the lacquered surface. The shimmering decoration brings depth and refinement to the scene while maintaining the quiet elegance appropriate for Chanoyu.

The piece is made in the O-Natsume (大棗) form, a larger form of natsume used as a chaki for holding matcha during the preparation of usucha. Its generous proportions provide a beautiful surface for the detailed Horaisan composition and give the piece a distinguished presence in the tea room.

Created by Osamu Tanaka, this natsume combines traditional Japanese lacquer craftsmanship with one of Japan’s most enduring auspicious motifs. It is a refined choice for a special chakai, particularly during the New Year season, as well as an appealing piece for collectors of Japanese lacquer tea utensils.

Details

• Artist: Osamu Tanaka (田中修)

• Type: O-Natsume (大棗) / Chaki

• Design: Horaisan (蓬莱山)

• Decoration: Maki-e

• Use: Usucha

• Recommended Season: New Year / Hatsugama / Celebratory Chakai

• Made in Japan

About Yamanaka Lacquerware

Yamanaka Lacquerware (Yamanaka Shikki) is a traditional Japanese craft produced in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history spanning approximately 450 years.

It is particularly renowned for its exceptional woodturning techniques. Skilled artisans carefully turn each piece to create beautifully balanced forms while preserving the natural character and grain of the wood. The wooden surface is then finished with layers of urushi lacquer, and some pieces are further embellished with traditional decorative techniques such as maki-e.

Yamanaka lacquerware is highly regarded for its combination of precision, lightness, durability, and understated elegance. Its natsume and other utensils for Chanoyu beautifully reflect generations of specialized craftsmanship, bringing together practical function and refined Japanese aesthetics.

About Natsume

A natsume (棗) is a traditional Japanese chaki, or tea caddy, used to hold matcha during the preparation of usucha (thin tea) in Chanoyu.

The name comes from its resemblance to the fruit of the natsume, or jujube tree. Over the centuries, the natsume has become one of the most recognizable and important lacquer utensils used in the Japanese tea tradition.

Beyond its practical purpose, a natsume also plays an important aesthetic role in the tea setting. Its shape, lacquer finish, decoration, and seasonal motifs are thoughtfully selected in harmony with the other utensils and the theme of the tea gathering.

About Nishimoto

Nishimoto is an established producer of Yamanaka lacquerware based in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, specializing in finely crafted lacquerware and utensils for Chanoyu.

Working with skilled artisans, Nishimoto produces a wide range of traditional tea utensils, including chaki and kogo (incense containers), with particular attention to precision, quality, and the beauty of the finished lacquer surface.

Nishimoto is especially known for its highly precise Kiri-Awase-Guchi technique, in which the lid and body are carefully formed from the same piece of wood, allowing the wood grain to flow naturally from one section to the other while achieving an exceptionally refined fit.

By combining the long-established traditions of Yamanaka woodturning and urushi lacquerwork with a refined contemporary sensibility, Nishimoto creates tea utensils that are both beautiful to handle and well suited for use in the tea room.

Its works are carried by specialty tea utensil shops and department stores throughout Japan and continue to introduce the craftsmanship and beauty of Yamanaka lacquerware to tea practitioners and collectors.