{"product_id":"urasenke-tantansai-konomi-utsushi-baigetsu-natsume-lacquer-chaki-matcha-caddy","title":"Urasenke Tantansai Konomi-utsushi Baigetsu Natsume Lacquer Chaki Matcha Caddy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-5\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTantansai Konomi-utsushi Baigetsu Natsume by Soetsu Nakamura\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA refined Baigetsu Natsume (梅月棗) by Japanese lacquer artist Soetsu Nakamura (中村宗悦), created as a Tantansai Konomi-utsushi (淡々斎好写)—a faithful interpretation of a design favored by Tantansai (淡々斎), the 14th-generation Grand Master of Urasenke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBaigetsu – Plum Blossoms in Moonlight\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name Baigetsu (梅月) combines \u003cem\u003eume\u003c\/em\u003e (梅), plum blossoms, and \u003cem\u003etsuki\u003c\/em\u003e (月), the moon. The design captures a particularly poetic moment at the very beginning of spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUme is one of the first flowers to bloom while winter still lingers, quietly announcing the arrival of spring. Its delicate blossoms and subtle fragrance possess a beauty that is both graceful and remarkably resilient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis natsume evokes the image of plum blossoms emerging from the darkness beneath the soft glow of the moon—their fragrance barely perceptible in the cool night air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most sophisticated details of the design is the treatment of the moonlight. The moon is rendered in a subtle gin-nezu (銀鼠), or silvery gray, and only the portions of the plum blossoms touched by its light appear in shimmering gold. The remaining blossoms recede quietly into the darker surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis thoughtful contrast creates the impression that the plum blossoms are gradually revealing themselves in the dim moonlight. Rather than depicting the flowers simply as decoration, the design captures the atmosphere of an early spring night—the darkness, the restrained light of the moon, and the quiet presence of ume beginning to bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a beautifully considered composition that expresses both the delicacy and strength of the plum blossom, qualities long admired in Japanese seasonal aesthetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a design favored by Tantansai, the 14th-generation Grand Master of Urasenke, the Baigetsu Natsume also carries a meaningful connection to the aesthetic lineage of Urasenke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially appropriate for late winter through early spring, this is an elegant chaki for an ume-season chakai and a particularly meaningful choice for Urasenke practitioners and collectors of fine Japanese tea utensils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Artist – Soetsu Nakamura\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoetsu Nakamura (中村宗悦)\u003c\/strong\u003e, born in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1932, is a Japanese lacquer artist known for traditional lacquerware created for Chanoyu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe began studying \u003cstrong\u003ekyushitsu\u003c\/strong\u003e, the traditional art of applying and building layers of urushi lacquer, under his father in 1946 and devoted his career to creating lacquer tea utensils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNakamura also studied the Way of Tea beginning in 1967 and later received the tea name \u003cstrong\u003eSokyo (宗恭)\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1987. His understanding of Chanoyu is reflected throughout his extensive body of work, including natsume and other lacquer utensils for the tea room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis craftsmanship has received numerous honors in Japan, including awards at the National Lacquerware Exhibition. He is particularly known among tea practitioners for his finely crafted lacquer tea utensils, including works based on \u003cstrong\u003ekonomi designs associated with distinguished tea masters of the Senke traditions\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: Soetsu Nakamura (中村宗悦)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eName: Baigetsu Natsume (梅月棗)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesign: Tantansai Konomi-utsushi (淡々斎好写)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTradition: Urasenke\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMotif: Ume (Plum Blossoms) \u0026amp; Moon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoon Color: Gin-nezu (銀鼠 \/ Silvery Gray)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChaki \/ Matcha Tea Caddy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Usucha\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended Season: Late Winter to Early Spring \/ Ume Season\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade in Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Yamanaka Lacquerware\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYamanaka Lacquerware (Yamanaka Shikki)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a traditional Japanese craft produced in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history spanning approximately 450 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is especially renowned for its exceptional woodturning techniques. Skilled artisans carefully turn each piece to create thin, beautifully balanced forms while preserving the natural character and grain of the wood. The wooden surface is then carefully finished with layers of urushi lacquer, and some pieces are further embellished with traditional decorative techniques such as maki-e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYamanaka lacquerware is highly regarded for its combination of precision, lightness, durability, and understated elegance. Its natsume and other utensils for Chanoyu reflect generations of specialized craftsmanship, bringing together practical function and refined Japanese aesthetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Natsume\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003enatsume (棗)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a traditional Japanese chaki, or tea caddy, used to hold matcha during the preparation of \u003cstrong\u003eusucha (thin tea)\u003c\/strong\u003e in Chanoyu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts 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 in the Japanese tea tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond its practical function, a natsume plays an important aesthetic role in the tea setting. Its form, lacquer finish, decorative technique, and seasonal motifs are thoughtfully selected in harmony with the other utensils, the season, and the theme of the tea gathering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA finely crafted natsume is therefore more than simply a container for matcha—it is an integral part of the artistic expression and seasonal experience of Chanoyu.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Yamanaka Lacquerware","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46590152081604,"sku":null,"price":380.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0560\/9409\/7604\/files\/7_3e577c3a-ecce-4d40-8478-bc314175b3e4.jpg?v=1787954109","url":"https:\/\/narateacompany.com\/fr\/products\/urasenke-tantansai-konomi-utsushi-baigetsu-natsume-lacquer-chaki-matcha-caddy","provider":"Nara Tea Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}