*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a well crafted natsume made around 20 years ago by highly respected lacquerware artist Nakamura Kyozo.  It is made of wood and features hand-painted makie fireflies over a black lacquered base.  A popular pastime during the rainy season is to go ‘hotaru-gari’, which means hunting for fireflies. Fireflies inhabit small streams and rice fields, and they have appeared in Japanese literature dating back to the 8th century.  This is a lovely piece for the summer season.   It comes with its original signed wooden storage box, as well as a turmeric coloured wrapping cloth for when the item is not in use. 

Nakamura Kyozo (b.1932) is a lacquerware craftsperson and tea master born in the Yamanaka lacquerware district in Ishikawa Prefecture.  In 1946 he began studying under his father, and in 1982 he received the Forestry Agency Commissioners Award at the National Lacquerware Exhibition held at Tokyo Mitsukoshi Main Store.  In 1987 he received the Urasenke tea name ‘Soukyo’, and in 1992 he became an associate professor of chado in the Urasenke tradition.  In 1994 he began studying pottery under Ueno Yoichi at Kaga Touen and has been making a name for himself as a potter.  Nakamura is a highly respected lacquerware artist and his tea utensils are highly sought after by collectors.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Yamanaka nuri refers to lacquerware produced in Ishikawa Prefecture. Echizen craftsmen from Fukui began producing lacquer pieces in this area as far back as the late 1500s. In the 1700s focus shifted towards producing wares for visitors to Yamanaka onsen. This also helped to promote the hot springs, so demand for lacquerware also increased. New techniques for lacquering were developed in the 1800s, and the arrival of the makie technique from Aizu, Kyoto and Kanazawa brought new changes to production in the area. Local craftsmen were also introduced to using a hand turned wood lathe to decorate the surface of their wares. Various patterns were developed and this became the most distinctive characteristic of Yamanaka lacquerware. The area flourished and it became known for its tea ceremony utensils and other fine lacquerware. Today there are over thirty lacquerware studios in the area, including Living National Treasure Kawakita Ryozo. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Makie refers to a crafting technique in Japan from presumably the Nara period. Craftsmen sprinkle gold or silver metal powder over successive layers of lacquer before it dries. Traditionally pure gold powder, pure gold flakes, and pure silver powder were used to complete motifs on lacquerware. The process of applying gold or silver powder requires both time and skill. At first the craftsman sketches out the design. He or she then adds charcoal powder to the base of the relief, and then a layer of urushi lacquer. Gold or silver powder is sprinkled over the wet lacquer, which acts as an adhesive. The surface is polished and then the process is repeated over and over until a beautiful raised pattern appears.                                                                                                           

Sizes

Box:  H.9.3cm (3.6”) x 8.3cm (3.2”) x 8.3cm (3.2”)

Natsume:  H.6.4cm (2.5”) x Dia.6.8cm (2.6”)                                                                           

Condition

It’s in very good condition with almost no wear, it may well be an unused item.                  

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable.

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable.

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail ePacket (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail ePacket (please send us a message).

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.