SHOICHI: A BLACK AND GOLD LACQUER NATSUME (TEA CADDY) WITH A WEEPING WILLOW (YANAGI)By Hirata Shoichi (1927-2011), signed ShoichiJapan, Showa period (1926-1989)Of typical form with a flush-fitting cover, the exterior bearing a roiro ground richly decorated in gold hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with kirigane and e-nashiji to depict a willow tree growing from the base of the tea caddy to the top of the cover, the dense branches forming a tight network that covers almost the entire vessel. The interiors of the box and cover lacquered with a silver ground and gold fundame edges, the exterior rim of the box (obscured by the cover) further with a diapered wave design. The recessed base also with a silver-lacquered ground and red-lacquered signature SHOICHI.DIAMETER 7.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Provenance: Dutch private collection.With a wood tomobako with hakogaki reading Yanagi makie, oo-natsume, Shoichi saku (A large Natsume tea caddy, with a design of willow tree, made by Shoichi) and a seal reading Shoichi. Notes RefButton4