Hiranatsume Spring and Autumn Tea Caddy with Decoration of Cherry Blossoms and Maple Leaves

Unknown artist

1920-1930

Takamakie lacquer, nashiji gold flakes, and kirigane gold foil on a roiro black lacquer ground, the lower sides with nashiji gold flakes and bokashi kinpun gold dust, the inside and the bottom with dense nashiji gold flakes

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

The slightly rounded walls of this small tea caddy rise almost vertically from the small, circular, countersunk base; they indent slightly near the top to form the vertical lip that receives and secures in place the cover, which has a flat top and vertical side walls. The exteriors of both cover and container are coated in roiro black lacquer; the cover and upper portion of the container's walls are emblazoned with a pattern of cherry blossoms and maple leaves in red and gold, which contrast with the black lacquer ground. Most of the leaves and blossoms--which are not connected and which lack any stems or scrolling foliage--are rend