{"product_id":"sakura-wood-nakatsugi-chaki-weeping-cherry-blossom-maki-e","title":"Sakura Wood Nakatsugi Chaki – Weeping Cherry Blossom Maki-e","description":"\u003ch3\u003eSakura Wood Nakatsugi Chaki – Weeping Cherry Blossom Maki-e by Reiho Sasaki\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn elegant Japanese chaki (茶器) crafted from natural \u003cstrong\u003esakura wood (cherry wood)\u003c\/strong\u003e and decorated with a graceful \u003cstrong\u003eshidarezakura (枝垂桜, weeping cherry blossom) maki-e\u003c\/strong\u003e design by \u003cstrong\u003eReiho Sasaki (佐々木麗峰)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe warm, natural character of the sakura wood provides a beautiful background for the delicate branches of cascading cherry blossoms. Rather than covering the entire surface with lacquer, the natural wood grain remains an important part of the aesthetic, giving the piece a light and refined appearance particularly suited to the spring tea season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe form is \u003cstrong\u003enakatsugi (中次)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a traditional type of chaki distinguished by the meeting line of the lid and body around the middle of the vessel. Used for holding matcha during the preparation of usucha, the nakatsugi is one of the classic forms of Japanese tea container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eshidarezakura\u003c\/strong\u003e, with its long branches covered in softly cascading blossoms, is one of Japan’s most beloved expressions of spring. The delicate maki-e decoration captures the graceful movement of the flowering branches while maintaining the quiet elegance appropriate for the tea room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis chaki is especially recommended for use during the \u003cstrong\u003esakura season, from late March through April\u003c\/strong\u003e, and makes a beautiful choice for a spring chakai or a tea gathering celebrating the arrival of cherry blossoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA refined combination of natural sakura wood, traditional form, and seasonal maki-e craftsmanship, this piece is equally appealing for use in the tea room or as part of a collection of Japanese tea utensils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Artist – Reiho Sasaki\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReiho Sasaki (佐々木麗峰)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Japanese maki-e artist based in \u003cstrong\u003eFukui City, Fukui Prefecture\u003c\/strong\u003e, an area with a long tradition of lacquer craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e1968 (Showa 43)\u003c\/strong\u003e, Sasaki began formal training as a maki-e artisan specializing in the decoration of traditional tea utensils, particularly \u003cstrong\u003enatsume (棗)\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ekogo (香合, incense containers)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSasaki’s work has received recognition including the \u003cstrong\u003eLacquer Art Association Award (漆芸協会賞)\u003c\/strong\u003e and selection for the \u003cstrong\u003eNichigeiten (日芸展)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough traditional maki-e techniques and carefully composed seasonal motifs, Sasaki creates tea utensils that combine refined lacquer craftsmanship with the seasonal sensitivity central to the Japanese tea tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: Reiho Sasaki (佐々木麗峰)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType: Chaki (茶器) \/ Nakatsugi (中次)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterial: Sakura wood (Cherry wood)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMotif: Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry Blossoms)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecoration: Maki-e\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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eWhat Is a Nakatsugi?\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Nakatsugi is a traditional tea caddy used to store matcha during the Japanese tea ceremony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike a\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eNatsume, whose lid joins near the top, a Nakatsugi has the lid divided at the center of the container. This classic shape has been used in tea ceremony for centuries and is one of the most common styles for serving matcha.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Reiho Sasaki","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46590696587460,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0560\/9409\/7604\/files\/39_b1f7b506-6477-403d-a328-2e45afe5c2fd.jpg?v=1787968984","url":"https:\/\/narateacompany.com\/products\/sakura-wood-nakatsugi-chaki-weeping-cherry-blossom-maki-e","provider":"Nara Tea Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}