Natsume Sasa Kiri 笹桐 Miyata Munekage

This Sasa Kiri natsume (徳風棗) was crafted by the contemporary Echizen lacquer artist Miyata Sokei (宮田宗景). Miyata studied under Minowa Issei (箕輪一星) and works within the traditional Echizen urushi practice, where craftsmanship and use in the tea ceremony are central.

Motif

This chū natsume is finished in deep, glossy black tame-nuri urushi and decorated with refined maki-e in gold, red, and green. The lid features a lush paulownia blossom in red-orange and gold, surrounded by trailing stems and leaves. The sides are decorated with bamboo leaves and the paulownia blossom in gold and green.

Symbolism

The bamboo leaf symbolizes purity and resilience. It bends with the wind and rain without breaking, and is therefore seen as a sign of inner strength and steadfastness. The paulownia is a tree traditionally associated with the imperial court and has been used in family crests for centuries. The motif represents dignity, protection, and continuity. According to legend, the mythical phoenix only nests in the paulownia, which lends it additional significance as a symbol of harmony and prosperity. Together, these two motifs form a balanced and meaningful whole that perfectly complements the understated beauty and contemplative nature of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Object Details

• Title: Sasa Kiri 笹桐
• Maker : Miyata Sokei 宮田宗景
  
• Period : Showa (ca. 1975–1990)
• Technique Urushi lacquer with hiramaki-e
  
• Dimensions approx. Ø 6.5 cm × H 6.0 cm
• Material Wood core with natural urushi lacquer
  
• Includes: Original tomobako with signature
  
• Condition: Very good condition. The urushi surface and maki-e are clear and pristine, with only minimal traces consistent with careful use. 
• Origin Japan, Echizen (越前), Fukui Prefecture, Kawada (河和田), Sabae

Tomobako and authenticity

The natsume comes in an original wooden tomobako with handwritten calligraphy, stating the technique, type, and the artist's name. The presence of this storage box is a sign of authenticity in Japan and significantly increases the value of the piece. A silk storage cloth is also included.

Signature and Maker

Miyata Sokei (宮田宗景) is a maki-e master from Sabae, in the Kawada district (河和田), the historical center of the Echizen urushi tradition in Fukui Prefecture. He received his training starting in Shōwa 45 (1970) under maki-e master Minowa Issei (箕輪一星), and began working independently from Shōwa 50 (1975).

His work is characterized by excellent technical mastery, harmonious shapes, and a subtle application of maki-e, where every brushstroke is precisely considered. He received the Shitsugei Kyōkai Award (漆芸協会賞) and was selected for the Echizen Maki-e Mihon-ichi (越前蒔絵見本市). These distinctions confirm his position within the Japanese lacquer tradition and his reputation as a maker of meticulously executed, functional, and aesthetically balanced tea ceremony objects.

Miyata Sokei is respected as a prominent figure within the Echizen lacquer tradition. His natsumes combine craftsmanship, symbolism, and aesthetics, and are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of Japanese urushi lacquerware.

As a gift

This natsume is a perfect gift for the completion of a study, receiving a degree, or achieving a certification. An object that marks a transition and invites one to continue with peace and concentration. The sasa-kiri motif reinforces that meaning: the bamboo leaf reminds one of flexibility and inner strength, while the paulownia represents dignity and the acceptance of responsibility. Together, they represent a new beginning, with attention to what has been learned and confidence in what is to come.