Jihei Murase, Hatchet-Shaved Nakatsugi Golden Tea Caddy, 2022 (C24999)
Based in Tokyo, Jihei Murase is a master of both lacquercraft and the tea ceremony. His artworks serve as tools for the ceremony, each subtle morphing the aesthetics and atmosphere of the ceremony based on their unique colors, textures, and style.
Jihei Murase, Suri-Urushi Hatchet-Shaved Silver Nakatsugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25008)
Jihei Murase, Hatchet-Shaved Silver Zelkova Nakatsugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25002)
Jihei Murase, Negoro Hatchet-Shaved Nakatsugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25061)
Staut with a flat top and bottom, the nakatsugi (中次) tea caddy is a traditional container for powdered matcha tea. Jihei Murase imbues these works with a special touch by a variety of methods, including carving corrugated ridges, checkered patterns, and irregular shaved sides. The defining characteristic of the container is a through-line between the lid and base, both of which are equivalent in size. Though the name is Japanese, the container is said to have been an innovative development of the yakki (薬器) form, which were medicine and herb containers found in China.
Jihei Murase, Red Checkerboard Nakasugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25038)
Jihei Murase, Brown Checkerboard Nakasugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25039)
Jihei Murase, Hatchet-Shaved Silver Nakatsugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25006)
Jihei Murase, Diamond-Cut and Corrugated Silver Nakatsugi Tea Container, 2022 (C25019) (C25020)
Jihei Murase, Corrugated Negoro Nakatsugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25015)
Jihei Murase, Corrugated Pale Indigo Nakatsugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25016)
Jihei Murase, Corrugated Black Negoro Nakatsugi Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25059)
Jihei Murase forges by hand wrought iron tools which he uses, along with the lathe, to craft the flawless form of a Japanese-native akoda melon. Fashioned from the prized Zelkova Elm, each individual pore is chiseled into the surface of the lacquer coating with delicate precision, creating realistic skin. The akoda melon form is a creative innovation that seems plucked from the natural source; so skillful is Murase’s technique that one might mistake the tea caddy for the fruit itself, though inside one will be surprised and delighted to find powdered matcha.
Jihei Murase, Akoda Melon-Shaped Tea Container, 2022 (C25018)
Jihei Murase, Akoda Melon-Shaped Tea Container, 2022 (C24993)
Inspired by the tripod cauldron, the three-legged tea caddy is the first style of object made by Murase when he was imparted the patronym “Jihei III” from his father, Jihei II. The intention of the artist was to innovate on the form of the tea caddy: Murase looked to the tripod cauldron—an object commonly used in China for ceremonial occasions—which had never before been refashioned for the purpose of the tea ceremony. Made from two pieces, a lid and body, the rounded torso of the caddy is sculpted on the turning lathe. The three uniform legs are delicately chiseled by hand.
Jihei Murase, Three-Legged Negoro Tea Container with Lid, 2022 (C24988)
Jihei Murase, Three-Legged Negoro Herbal and Tea Container, 2022 (C25017)
Jihei Murase, Ebony Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25004)
Jihei Murase, Corrugated Negoro Tea Caddy, 2022 (C24983)
Jihei Murase, Diamond-Cut and Corrugated Negoro Tea Container, 2022 (C24989)
The remainder of the master’s works are made with a variety of techniques, from the diamond-cut scalloping to the oil-rub finish of the Jujube. Though these works are not part of a larger stylistic category, they are elegant and exciting additions that welcome a pairing with a broad range of chawan and mizusashi.
Jihei Murase, Medium Size Jujube-Shaped Pitch-Black Tea Container, 2022 (C25013)
Jihei Murase, Negoro Herbal and Tea Container, 2022 (C25014)
Jihei Murase, Negoro Herbal and Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25012)
Jihei Murase, Silver Herbal and Tea Caddy, 2022 (C25003)
