Paragraph about tea containers, lacquer

Nishimura Shōitsu I (1894–1981)

Born Matsusaburo Nishimura in Kanazawa, Nishimura Shoitsu I is the first in a renowned lineage of maki-e lacquer artists. Around the age of 15, he began studying under Ichitarō Chikada and his uncle, Shōichirō Tsuda. He established his own independent workshop at the age of 19 where he both upheld the traditions of Kaga maki-e and brought these techniques into the modern era. While he produced a wide range of tea utensils, he broke new ground particularly in the creation of natsume (tea caddies). He received the Kanazawa City Cultural Award in 1971.

Maehata Gaho - B. 1936

Born as the first son of Maehata Shunsai, Maehata Gaho is a renowned lacquer artist from Kanazawa. He received his training in lacquered tea utensils from Murata Doukan, ishiji-nuri lacquer from Nakamura Chokan, and Kaga maki-e from Hoya Bisei.

In 1983 he established the Mugen-an Foundation in order to restore Mugen-an, a samurai residence built in Kanazawa City in 1912 by the Yokoyama family, one of the eight prominent families of Kaga, and later relocated to the hot spring resort town Yamanaka Onsen. It was opened to the public and works to preserve Kaga culture, including tea ceremony.

In 2003, he was commissioned to oversee the restoration work at Kenchouji temple in Kamakura.