Large Black Lacquered Tea Caddy with Cloud Brocade DesignUesugi Manju
A base of wood is covered with traditional Japanese paper, then layers of raw lacquer are meticulously applied multiple times. The process continues through intermediate and final lacquering stages, resulting in a finish that reveals the unique texture of the paper. Using the Hiradogi-dashi technique, maple leaves and cherry blossoms are delicately polished, with fine powder and gold leaf intricately sprinkled within. The work subtly captures the refined beauty of the flowers and leaves, making it a piece to be enjoyed in both spring and autumn.
Snow-Blown Tea Caddy with Autumn Grasses and Moon Maki-e DesignUesugi Manju
A base of wood is covered with traditional Japanese paper, then layers of raw lacquer are carefully applied multiple times. The process advances through intermediate and final lacquering stages, creating a finish that highlights the texture of the paper. In the maki-e design, the moon is accentuated with a raised silver surface, and autumn grasses—such as bush clover, pampas grass, golden lace, and kudzu leaves—are depicted, beautifully illuminated by the moonlight.
Black large jujube with snow flower maki-eUesugi Manju
The snowflakes are swept away by the wind, scattering and dancing in the wind and flowers. Various snowflakes are depicted.
Large “karuta” maki-e lacquer on large “matsu” lacquered jujubeUesugi Manju
The poems are scattered in the picturesque scenery of the four seasons from Korin’s copy of the Hyakunin Isshu, a set of 100 poems folded into a karuta.
Tea Container With Design of Robe of FeathersUesugi Manju
The design of this container was inspired by a Noh play called Hagoromo (robe of feathers). A heavenly maiden who soars above Mt. Fuji is expressed gracefully in Togidashi and Taka-maki-e.
Scarlet Tea Container With Design of Cherry BlossomsUesugi Manju
The design of this container was inspired by the cherry blossoms in Daigoji Temple. A camp curtain and cherry blossoms were designed in Taka-maki-e as if there were filled with the voices of people admiring cherry blossoms.
White Lacquered Tea Container With Design of Kimono SleevesUesugi Manju
The design of sophisticated and gorgeous kimono sleeves on this container produces some nostalgic and relaxing atmosphere.
Black Tea Container With Design of Maple Trees in Maki-eUesugi Manju
A scenery that people under maple trees admiring the autumn leaves which is turning red in a relaxed atmosphere was designed in Taka-maki-e.
Unskinned Oak Incense Container With Design of Autumn Flowers And Two InsectsUesugi Manju
This container was made with an unskinned oak log. A scenery that insects made of seashells gather around autumn flowers was designed on the lid.
Black-Lacquered Robuchi With Design of Golden WavesUesugi Manju
This black lacquered robuchi was made by a process called Honkataji. The golden waves throughout the hearth frame create a gorgeousness and a vibrant feeling. The aesthetic of this robuchi will be emphasized when illuminated by charcoal fire.
Bamboo Tea Container With Design of Chikubu IslandUesugi Manju
A scenery from a Noh song called Chikubujima (Chikubu Island) was described in Maki-e. The moon’s shadow is reflected on the lake and rabbits living on the moon are running through waves. The design in maki-e gives a vibrant feeling to this tea container.
Scarlet Tea Container With Design of Seaweeds And SeashellsUesugi Manju
Seaweeds and seashells were embossed with the technique called Taka-maki-e on the bright scarlet urushi lacquer. Different types of gold powder are used for seaweeds and seashells.
Octagonal Food Box With Design of Snow Crystals in Maki-eUesugi Manju
The beautiful harmony of this work was created by wrapping carved wood in pieces of Japanese paper and applying lacquer several times. Snow crystals in Maki-e add an elegance to this work.
Unskinned Camellia Tea Container (With Silver Ornamental Border)Uesugi Manju
Unskinned Camellia Tea Container (With Silver Ornamental Border) Unskinned camellia log was used for this container. Beautiful sceneries were gorgeously expressed throughout the container. On the lid, a haze over distant mountains was designed in a technique called Togidashi Maki-e and flowers of hagi was designed in Taka-maki-e. Haze was also seen inside the lid, and a kingfisher was designed on the back of the lid.
Cedar Wood Cyclic Flower Shaped Teacup SaucerUesugi Manju
This luxurious teacup saucer is crafted by carving cedar wood into a shape of a cyclic flower, wipe-lacquering several times, designing letters of 百寿 (celebration for 100 years of life) in Maki-e in the center and finally coating with urushi lacquer. The letters of 百寿 in lacquered sandalwood gently were gently embossed underneath the lacquer.
Wickerwork Food Container With Design of Clouds And CranesUesugi Manju
Plain wood of hinoki cypress was weaved in a wickerwork-like pattern for the container’s rounded side, carved like a cut surface of wood for its lid and gently finished with a colored lacquer. Clouds and cranes were elaborately designed in maki-e on the side. This container could be used regardless of seasons.
Old Zelkova Wood Tea Container With Design of Chrysanthemums in Maki-e上杉満樹
The design of chrysanthemums is executed in high-relief maki-e. Flower petals are accentuated here and there with kirikane and gold dust, coated with scarlet and white urushi lacquer, and polished for a beautiful finish. The interior part of the container is carried out in elegant nashiji (lightly sprinkled gold flakes).
Maki-e Tea Container With Design of Musashino Plain After the SnowfallUesugi Manju
The design of Musashino plain lit by moonlight was carried out in gold maki-e. Shiny rounded pieces of mother-of pearl represent sparkling drops of dew. This piece of lacquerware portrays the delicate beauty of nature.
Maki-e Tea Container With Design of Herons in the ReedUesugi Manju
After applying the undercoat of urushi lacquer on hinoki wood base and covering it with washi paper, the container was coated with black lacquer several times. The design of herons, two by the water in golden grass and one descending, was realistically executed in high-relief maki-e making emphasis on their white feathers.
Black Robuchi With Design of a Willow in Maki-eUesugi Manju
The design of this hearth frame was carried out using the gold hira-makie (flat maki-e) technique. The brunches of the willow are flowing to the four directions at the arrival of spring.
Octagonal Food Box With Design of Phoenix in Maki-eUesugi Manju
Four corners of this box made in Japanese cypress were gently curved. The elegant pattern of a dancing phoenix was executed in high-relief gold maki-e on the shimmering semi-transparent final coat called tamenuri.
Maki-e Tea Container With Design of Musical InstrumentsUesugi Manju
The design of musical instruments executed in relief maki-e let us almost hear the elegant sounds of gagaku, the traditional Japanese court music.
Maki-e Tea Container With Design of Three FlowersUesugi Manju
This Rikyu-style large tea container with design of chrysanthemum, plum and cherry blossoms in relief maki-e on a black background can be used in all seasons just by turning one of the three patterns to the front of the container.