Sanko Nakanatsume – Sun, Moon & Stars by Juho Kobayashi – Black Lacquer Chaki

Sanko Nakanatsume – Sun, Moon & Stars by Juho Kobayashi

A refined Nakanatsume (中棗) by Japanese lacquer artist Juho Kobayashi (小林寿峰), featuring the traditional Sanko (三光), or “Three Lights,” motif.

Sanko refers to the three celestial lights of the sun, moon, and stars. Together, these timeless elements create a poetic composition that transcends a single season, making this chaki both meaningful and highly versatile for the tea room.

The deep black finish provides an elegant background for the Sanko design, allowing the celestial imagery to stand out with quiet sophistication. Unlike strongly seasonal floral motifs, the sun, moon, and stars can be appreciated throughout the year and coordinated with a wide variety of chawan and other tea utensils.

Kiri-Awase-Guchi

An important feature of this natsume is its Kiri-Awase-Guchi (切合口) construction. The lid and body are carefully formed to meet with exceptional precision, creating a clean and harmonious transition between the two sections. This precise fit reflects the skilled woodturning and finishing required in the creation of fine lacquer tea utensils.

The Nakanatsume (中棗) is a classic, well-balanced form of chaki used to hold matcha for the preparation of usucha (thin tea).

Created by Juho Kobayashi, this piece combines restrained black lacquer, precise craftsmanship, and the poetic Sanko motif. Its timeless design makes it an excellent choice for a chakai, year-round Chanoyu, or a collection of finely crafted Japanese lacquerware.

Details

• Artist: Juho Kobayashi (小林寿峰)

• Name: Sanko (三光) – “Three Lights”

• Type: Nakanatsume (中棗)

• Size: 2.2

• Finish: Black

• Motif: Sun, Moon & Stars

• Construction: Kiri-Awase-Guchi (切合口)

• Chaki / Matcha Tea Caddy

• For Usucha

• Season: All Season

• Made in Japan