This is a luxurious maki-e natsume (tea caddy) featuring a design inspired by the scene of the ox-drawn carriage from the Tale of Genji Emaki (illustrated handscroll). The natsume boasts magnificent maki-e craftsmanship on a black lacquered ground, extending from the lid to the body. The interior and base are beautifully finished in silver, and the underside of the lid bears a red-ink signature of the tea master, Hounsai Soshu. The ox-drawn carriage symbolizes "nobility," "wealth," and "splendor," and the continuous turning of the wheels represents "eternity" and "prosperity," making it an auspicious motif. It is suitable for use throughout the year, regardless of the season. The box is a well-crafted inro-style box, with Hounsai Soshu's inscription "Emaki Dainatsume Muro" (Illustrated Scroll Large Natsume, Muro) on the underside of the lid, and the original box (kyobako) is stamped with "Emaki Maki-e Dainatsume Ikkou" (Illustrated Scroll Maki-e Large Natsume, Ikkou) on the side. There is some slight wear on the tray (the part that touches the tatami mat) (＊see photo 14), but the overall condition is excellent. There are no cracks or repairs. The box is in good condition. Comes with the original box (kyobako) and cloth (kyogire). Width: 7.3 cm, Height: 7.4 cm, Tray Diameter: 3.6 cm ▢ Hounsai Genshitsu (15th generation of Urasenke) 1923-2025 The 15th Grand Master of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony. Born in Kyoto in 1923, he graduated from the Faculty of Law and Economics at Doshisha University. He served in the Navy from 1943 until the end of the war. After the war, he practiced Zen at Daitoku-ji Temple under the head priest, Zuigan Zenji, and received the tonsure, taking the name Hounsai Genshu Soko Koji. In 1964, he succeeded his father, Tantansai, and became active both domestically and internationally. After retiring as the head of the school, he served as the Grand Master. In his later years, he used the name Genshitsu. ▢ Ikkou Kiyose II Born in 1942. Real name Susumu Kiyose. Born in Kanazawa as the eldest son of the maki-e artist Ikkou Kiyose I. Graduated from Ishikawa Prefectural Technical High School. He succeeded to the name Ikkou II in 1986. In 1995, he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman. He received the Ishikawa Prefectural Governor's Award in 2006, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry's Award in 2007, and the Award for Distinguished Service from the Japan Traditional Craftsmen's Association in 2009. He has received awards such as the Ishikawa Prefectural Governor's Award, the Kanazawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President's Award, the Mayor of Kanazawa Award, and the Ishikawa Prefectural Design Association Chairman's Award at the Kanazawa Lacquerware Commerce and Industry Cooperative Exhibition. He carries on the Kaga maki-e tradition that has continued since the Edo period. He creates beautiful tea utensils using advanced techniques such as Togidashi maki-e and Nikugai Togidashi maki-e. 【References】 Meisters and Artists of Tea Utensils, Tankosha Kasho of Tea People, by Eiichi Oda, Kawahara Shoten #Why not have your own tea utensils? #Chawan-ya Shokudo #TeaUtensils #Natsume #TaleofGenji #OxDrawnCarriage #UrushiArt #TeaCeremonyUtensils #Usuki #Usucha #TeaCeremony #KyotoAn #SennoRikyu #Urasenke #SoshitsuSen #GenshitsuSen #Tantansai #Hounsai #GrandMaster #WrittenInscription #Urushi #TeaCeremonyUtensils #AntiqueArt #TeaRoom #TeaParty #IkkouKiyose #Kanazawa #KagaMaki-e #Ishikawa #Tea #Beauty #Art