Murase’s used a lathe to sculpt the cylindrical form of this lacquered tea caddy. The vermillion lid sits in stark contrast on the deep black base. Murase specializes in negoro lacquer, a style dating to the Kamakura period (1185–1333), in which an undercoat of black lacquer is coated with a layer of vermillion. Here, the combination of this historical technique and the modern geometric form suggest themes of tradition and innovation.