{"product_id":"gengensai-konomi-akebono-natsume-matcha-caddy","title":"Gengensai Konomi Akebono Natsume Matcha Caddy","description":"\u003ch3\u003eGengensai Konomi Akebono Natsume by Taien Yamashita\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA refined \u003cstrong\u003eAkebono Natsume (曙棗)\u003c\/strong\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eTaien Yamashita (山下泰園)\u003c\/strong\u003e, crafted in the style favored by \u003cstrong\u003eGengensai (玄々斎)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the 11th-generation Grand Master of Urasenke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe term \u003cstrong\u003ekonomi (好)\u003c\/strong\u003e in Chanoyu refers to a particular form, design, or combination of details favored or established by a tea master. This piece follows the traditional \u003cstrong\u003eGengensai Konomi\u003c\/strong\u003e design, giving it a meaningful connection to the history and aesthetic tradition of Urasenke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe natsume is crafted from \u003cstrong\u003emizume wood (水目)\u003c\/strong\u003e and finished in an elegant \u003cstrong\u003eshu (朱)\u003c\/strong\u003e red lacquer. The warm red tone gives the piece a distinctive yet restrained presence, while allowing the beauty and character of the wooden form to remain central to the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn important feature of this natsume is its \u003cstrong\u003eKiri-Awase-Guchi (切合口)\u003c\/strong\u003e construction. The lid and body are carefully formed to meet with exceptional precision, creating a clean, harmonious transition at the opening. This demanding construction reflects the high level of woodturning craftsmanship behind the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name \u003cstrong\u003eAkebono (曙)\u003c\/strong\u003e means “dawn” or “daybreak,” evoking the first light of morning and the warm reddish tones that appear as a new day begins. The combination of its name, shu lacquer, and refined form gives the natsume a quiet yet memorable character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreated by Taien Yamashita, this piece brings together skilled Japanese woodturning and lacquer craftsmanship with a form rooted in the Urasenke tea tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA particularly refined choice for a \u003cstrong\u003echakai\u003c\/strong\u003e, as well as for tea practitioners and collectors seeking utensils connected to the historical konomi of the Urasenke Grand Masters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: Taien Yamashita (山下泰園)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eName: Akebono Natsume (曙棗)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesign: Gengensai Konomi (玄々斎好)\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\u003eMaterial: Mizume Wood (水目)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish: Shu (朱) Red Lacquer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction: Kiri-Awase-Guchi (切合口)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 2.1\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\u003eMade in Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYamanaka Lacquerware\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a traditional craft produced in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history of about 450 years. It is particularly known for its \u003c\/span\u003eprecise woodturning techniques, which create thin, smooth wooden surfaces, and for its exquisite lacquer coating and maki-e (gold or silver decoration). Multiple layers of lacquer enhance its durability and elegant gloss. Yamanaka lacquerware natsume (tea caddy) exemplifies both craftsmanship and refined beauty, making it a highly valued tea ceremony utensil that blends functionality with artistry.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eNatsume\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is a lacquered container used in the tea ceremony to store powdered matcha. It is named after the shape of the \u003c\/span\u003enatsume fruit. The natsume helps preserve the quality of the matcha, as it protects the powder from moisture and air, which can cause it to deteriorate. It is an essential tea utensil, combining both functionality and aesthetic value in the tea ceremony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nishimoto | Yamanaka Lacquerware","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46614435758276,"sku":null,"price":280.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0560\/9409\/7604\/files\/14_3e3725c6-9abb-482c-83ee-aecfb3aedd65.jpg?v=1788578648","url":"https:\/\/narateacompany.com\/products\/gengensai-konomi-akebono-natsume-matcha-caddy","provider":"Nara Tea Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}