One after another, I painted the Four Gentlemen Tea Dates

Tea dates with Four Gentlemen motifs

Ichigo Ichijo (1898-1991) was a master of Japanese lacquerware maki-e and a Living National Treasure. In 1977, he was designated by the Japanese government as an Important Intangible Cultural Property.

A model of the Showa era, surpassing his predecessors, a legendary maki-e artist hailed as the "pinnacle" of Wajima enamelware. His works are meticulously crafted, and he is especially skilled in advanced techniques such as high maki-e, mother-of-pearl inlay, and pear-shaped enamel. He was appointed as the official maki-e artist by the Senka school of tea ceremony and presented his works to the Emperor on multiple occasions, demonstrating his status in the industry. He is truly an uncrowned king!

Wajima lacquerware is primarily made using wooden blanks and involves over 70 meticulous processes, requiring a large amount of lacquer. A unique local clay called "Kyozo soil" is burned into powder and mixed with raw lacquer before use. Because Wajima lacquerware was mainly used for folk festivals and other events, its sturdiness and durability are paramount. Combined with techniques such as maki-e (embroidered paper) and gilt (gold inlay), it boasts a magnificent and elegant appearance.

One after another

Its most prominent features are its beauty and durability. The level of detail is extraordinary. A single piece can take several months to create, with layer after layer of lacquer applied, allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next. This process is repeated until the artwork is rendered with the utmost delicacy. Because of the thick layers of lacquer, highly skilled artists can carve the patterns with exquisite detail and depth. Finally, the carved recesses are filled and smoothed with gold. Then, further coloring and finishing touches are applied. This complex process results in an incredibly delicate and exquisitely beautiful piece.

The tea caddy was made by the Japanese maki-e master Ichigo Ichicho. The phoenix in Zhuangzi says: "It will not perch except on the parasol tree, it will not eat except the fruit of the lotus, and it will not drink except from the sweet spring," which means that it has a noble character. This tea caddy comes with a set of cloth, a box, and an outer box.