Description
This item is the Natsume (棗), a container for Matcha (抹茶, powdered green tea). This name was given because its shape resembles the fruit of Natsume (棗, the Japanese name of jujube). In the past, black lacquerware Natsumes were commonly made. However, with the changing times, various designs have been produced. In tea ceremonies, there are two main types of Matcha containers. One is called the Chaire (茶入), a tool for advanced users, basically used for storing strong tea. On the other hand, the Natsume is a container for thin tea and is basically made of wood and lacquered. However, as mentioned above, there are pottery Natsumes and Natsumes made from bamboo or Japanese paper with lacquer.
In particular, this type of shape is called Fubuki (雪吹, snowstorm). The top and the bottom of the container are chamfered in the same way. It is said that the name, Fubuki, comes from the fact that the snow blows so hard that you cannot even tell where the top and the bottom are.
Regarding the design, the theme is Akikusa (秋草, autumn plants). Various kinds of flowers, such as Kiku (菊, chrysanthemum), Kikyou (桔梗, Japanese bellflower), and Nadeshiko (撫子, pink), are depicted elegantly with Makie (蒔絵) technique. The Makie is a typical Japanese lacquer art technique developed uniquely in Japan for about 1,200 years. Firstly, it needs to draw a picture with lacquer on the surface with a thin brush. Next, sprinkle the gold powder from above to show the pattern before the lacquer hardens. This technique makes a gorgeous and elegant look to works.
Kiku is one of the flowers that symbolizes fall, and people appreciate it very much since ancient times. It is said that this flower was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life in China a long time ago, and it was brought to Japan with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. “Kiku no Gomon (菊の御紋)” is a kind of chrysanthemum pattern, and it has been used as the crest of the Emperor and the royal family in Japan so that it is well-known as a noble pattern.
Kikyou is a small star-shaped flower. It is said its root has medicinal efficacy. The Kikyou pattern has often been used as a motif of Tanka (短歌, a kind of traditional Japanese poem) and pictures since the Heian period (794-1185). Its name was initially “Kichikou,” and it changed to “Kikyou” with time. It is said this flower was used for fortune-telling in the old days. This action is called Kikkyou-wo Uranau (吉凶を占う) in Japanese. The word Kikkyou (吉凶, good or bad omen) was associated with this flower’s name. “Kichikou” was compared to the word “Kichi Kou (吉更),” which means further good fortune. That is why this flower pattern is treated as a good omen design.
Nadeshiko is a delicate and pretty pink flower with thin, lobed petals that blooms quietly in the fields. It is also one of the seven autumnal flowers, and mentioned in the Manyoshu (万葉集), the oldest extant collection of Japanese waka (poetry in classical Japanese) in the Nara period (the 8th century). It is said that the character of “撫子” means that this flower seems to be like a cute child (子, Ko) to be caressed (撫で, Nade) and cherished, suggesting that people have loved this lovely flower since ancient times.
This Natsume is highly decorative, and we imagine that it played an active role not only as a container for Matcha but also as one of the colors that entertained the eyes of the participants at tea ceremonies.
*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.
【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
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