Sakura Chirashi Akebono O-Natsume by Soetsu Nakamura – Japanese Lacquer Tea Caddy

$380.00

Sakura Chirashi Akebono O-Natsume by Soetsu Nakamura

An elegant O-Natsume (大棗) by Japanese lacquer artist Soetsu Nakamura (中村宗悦), featuring a graceful Sakura Chirashi (桜散らし) design against an Akebono (曙) lacquer finish.

Sakura Chirashi depicts cherry blossoms scattered across the surface, capturing one of the most poetic moments of the Japanese spring—the brief period when cherry blossoms begin to fall and drift through the air.

The name Akebono (曙) means “dawn” or “daybreak.” Its warm gradation evokes the subtle colors of the sky as darkness gives way to morning light. Combined with the scattered sakura motif, the design creates an atmospheric spring scene that is elegant without being overly decorative.

The larger O-Natsume form provides a generous surface for the lacquer decoration and gives the piece a distinguished presence in the tea room.

This natsume is especially recommended for the sakura season, from late March through April, and makes a beautiful choice for a spring chakai or other tea gathering celebrating the arrival of spring.

Created by Soetsu Nakamura, a lacquer artist known for his extensive work in utensils for Chanoyu, this piece combines skilled Japanese lacquer craftsmanship with one of the most beloved seasonal motifs in the tea tradition.

About the Artist – Soetsu Nakamura

Soetsu Nakamura (中村宗悦) was born in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1932 and is known for his traditional lacquerware created specifically for Chanoyu.

He began studying kyushitsu, the traditional art of applying and building layers of urushi lacquer, under his father in 1946 and went on to devote his career to the creation of lacquer tea utensils.

Nakamura also studied the Way of Tea beginning in 1967 and later received the tea name Sokyo (宗恭) in 1987. His understanding of Chanoyu is reflected in the wide range of tea utensils he has produced throughout his career.

His craftsmanship has received numerous honors in Japan, including awards at the National Lacquerware Exhibition.

Nakamura is particularly well known among tea practitioners for his natsume and other lacquer utensils, including works based on konomi designs associated with distinguished tea masters of the Senke traditions.

Details

  • Artist: Soetsu Nakamura (中村宗悦)

  • Type: O-Natsume (大棗)

  • Design: Sakura Chirashi (桜散らし) – Scattered Cherry Blossoms

  • Finish: Akebono (曙)

  • Chaki / Matcha Tea Caddy

  • For Usucha

  • Recommended Season: Spring / Sakura Season

  • 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 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.

Yamanaka 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.

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.

Its 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.

Beyond 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.

A 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.

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