Original expressiveness and advanced technical skills

Jidai Kiku Makie Kuro Hira Natsume | 時代 菊蒔絵黒平棗
Size(cm)W8H4.7
Edo period | 江戸時代
Black persimmon | 黒柿

Among the various crafts, lacquerware is particularly impressive for its high level of technical skill.
This piece as a whole gives a strong impression of “wabi” rather than “elegance.” You can see the true nature of this piece when viewed in slightly weaker natural light, such as the dim light of a tea room, rather than when viewed in the lighting of a room. In such cases, although the creator is unknown, one can get a sense of the artist’s intention.
This piece has a “unique, powerful presence” that is common to all good pieces of art.
Are they chrysanthemums blooming in the night sky after the rain? And is there a crescent moon reflected in the water droplets? It was made by someone in the Edo period, but I would love to travel back in time, meet the creator, and hear his story.