Japanese Tea Caddy Asagao 朝顔 (morning glory) with raden Nakamura Kosai

This refined natsume is finished in warm, honey-toned urushi lacquer and decorated with an asagao motif (朝顔, morning glory) executed in delicate maki-e technique. The object radiates calm and restrained elegance—qualities that are essential within the Japanese tea ceremony.

Symbology

The asagao is a flower that blooms only briefly and is traditionally associated with impermanence, morning stillness, and mindful attention to the present moment. In this natsume, that sensibility is tangibly present: the object invites a slowing down and a conscious mode of handling, both in use and in contemplation. Within the tea ceremony, this motif refers to the awareness that every gathering is unique and can never be repeated—the core value of chadō.

Raden

At the center of the design is the asagao, recognizable by its star-shaped blossom and slender leaves. The flower is rendered in raden (螺鈿), finely inlaid mother-of-pearl that subtly shimmers in soft blue and green tones depending on the angle of the light. The vines and leaves are applied in maki-e using carefully measured gold powder. The gold is used lightly and with refinement—not as a solid mass, but as a whispering line that follows the plant’s natural movement. This restrained application lends the decoration a sense of airiness and elegance.

Object details

• Title: Asagao 朝顔
• Artist: Nakamura Kosai (中村光彩) 
• Motif: Morning glory
• Type: chū-natsume
• Material: Wood, urushi lacquer, raden, maki-e
• Diameter: ≈ 6,8 cm
• Hoogte: ≈ 7 cm
• Condition: Excellent condition, suitable for both use and collection
• Accessoires: Original tomobako with hanko seal and calligraphy
• Additional Accessoires: Original fukusa cloth (共布)

Tomobako and authenticity

The natsume is accompanied by its original tomobako (wooden storage box) bearing handwritten inscription and seal. The inscription identifying the maker and the decorative theme confirms the provenance and authenticity of the object. The accompanying cloth and carefully preserved packaging further attest to the care with which this piece has been maintained.

Signature and artist

Nakamura Kosai (中村光彩), born in 1955, is a maki-e artist from Yamanaka, Ishikawa. He was trained within the Yamanaka lacquerware tradition and worked for many years under an established master before founding his own studio.

Kosai is known for his refined and consistent style, with a strong preference for nature and seasonal motifs. His work is characterized by restrained use of color and subtle applications of gold, achieving a balance between technical perfection and poetic serenity.

As a gift

Thanks to the asagao motif and its gentle, understated presence, this natsume is particularly suitable as a gift on occasions such as:

• a transition into a calmer phase of life, where mindfulness and reflection take center stage
• an engagement or marriage proposal, symbolizing a promise entered into with care, attention, and sincerity