Gold Leaf Sensuji Mari Box

Pure Gold-Platinum Leaf ・ Hand-Turned Lacquerware ・ Yamanaka, Japan 01 A glow no single metal alone can create — pure gold and platinum leaf, layered by hand. 02 A thousand fine lines, turned on the wheel by Yamanaka's lacquer artisans. 03 A tea caddy by tradition, a keepsake box by daily use — for rings, cards, and quiet treasures. A One-of-a-Kind Glow, Built from Gold, Platinum, and the Hands of Yamanaka's Artisans Pure gold and platinum come together in a quiet, layered brilliance, set against the fine hand-turned detail of Yamanaka lacquerware. Sensuji Mari — its name means "thousand lines, ball-shaped" — began as a natsume, the small lidded container that holds matcha before it's whisked into tea during the Japanese tea ceremony. Its poised, rounded form now finds a second life as a keepsake box: a place to set aside rings, small jewelry, or anything else worth keeping apart from the everyday. The Glow of Towa-iro: Where Gold Meets Platinum The Sensuji collection is Hakuza's signature line, finished in one of two proprietary leaf blends. Towa-iro ("eternal color") combines 99% pure gold with just 1% platinum — a whisper of platinum that deepens the tone into a rich, dignified gold with quiet gravitas. Kuon-iro ("timeless color") leans closer to champagne, blending 92% gold with 8% platinum for a softer, smokier warmth. Both are the result of decades of leaf-making expertise, applied entirely by hand, one sheet at a time. Sensuji: A Thousand Fine Lines, Turned by Hand In Yamanaka Onsen, a hot-spring town in Ishikawa Prefecture on Japan's west coast, lacquerware artisans have practiced woodturning (rokuro) for over 400 years — long considered the most technically demanding branch of Japanese lacquer craft. Each box is turned on a lathe to carve a series of fine, closely spaced ridges into its surface — the "sensuji," or thousand lines, that give the collection its name. Soft, delicate gold-platinum leaf is then applied by hand, sheet by sheet, following the contour of every ridge, so the surface shifts in tone and shadow as light moves across it. Inside, the natural grain of keyaki (Japanese zelkova) is left visible under a hand-rubbed urushi lacquer finish, keeping the warmth of the wood close at hand. Kanazawa: The Gold Leaf Tradition Behind Hakuza Hakuza's workshop is based in Kanazawa, a city that has produced over 99% of Japan's gold leaf for more than 400 years. Turning a piece of gold alloy roughly the size of a coin into a sheet as large as a tatami mat — without dulling its shine — takes years to master. Among the techniques passed down in Kanazawa is entsuke kinpaku, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020. Rather than simply stretching the gold thinner, artisans press it between sheets of handmade gampi paper that has been treated with straw ash lye, persimmon tannin, and egg white, then beaten for six months to prepare it. The goal is to transfer the paper's own fiber structure onto the foil's surface — a texture that scatters light instead of reflecting it flatly, giving the gold a softer, more layered depth than foil pressed on plain paper. It's this craft that shapes every piece Hakuza makes. From the Tea Room to Everyday Life A natsume is traditionally the vessel that holds matcha before a tea ceremony — a quiet, formal role within Japanese tea culture. But its composed, rounded shape travels well beyond the tea room. Many keep one on a dresser or desk, using it to hold rings, small jewelry, or a wax seal — anything worth setting apart from the everyday. It also makes a considered gift, arriving with the same care and craftsmanship as the box itself. Specifications Brand: Hakuza Collection: Sensuji ("Thousand Lines") Shape: Mari (ball-shaped) Small — Diameter 2.6 in (67 mm) × H 2.8 in (70 mm) Large — Diameter 3.5 in (88 mm) × H 3.3 in (85 mm) Towa-iro finish: 24K gold-platinum leaf (99% gold, 1% platinum), keyaki (Zelkova serrata) wood, urushi lacquer Kuon-iro finish: gold-platinum leaf (92% gold, 8% platinum), keyaki (Zelkova serrata) wood, urushi lacquer Shipping Ships within 2 weeks・ Shipping cost included in price Care Not suitable for microwave, oven, refrigerator, or dishwasher use. Avoid scouring pads, abrasive powders, or harsh cleaners — wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth if needed. With handling over time, the gold leaf may show gradual wear; this is a natural characteristic of hand-applied leaf, not a defect. Each piece is made from natural keyaki wood, so grain and coloring will vary slightly from piece to piece. How to Use Traditionally used to hold matcha for the Japanese tea ceremony, this box adapts easily to daily use outside Japan. Popular alternatives include: a ring or jewelry dish for a nightstand or vanity; a keepsake box for cufflinks, stamps, or small mementos; a desk accessory for a wax seal or set of pen nibs. If storing items prone to scratching, line the interior with a small cloth or soft pouch. Note Each piece is finished by hand, one leaf at a time — small variations in color, texture, and wood grain are part of its character, and no two pieces are exactly alike. Because of this handcrafted, natural-material construction, we're unable to accept returns or exchanges based on color or texture differences from the photos shown.