Japanese Tea Ceremony Hira-Natsume Tea Caddy Hida-Shunkei Lacquer

This is a vintage Japanese chu-natsume or tea caddy used in the chanoyu tea ceremony. It holds the powdered green tea called matcha. A quality natsume such as this is made of turn wood, typically hinoki or Japanese cypress. The wood is lacquered in the traditional Japanese method with as many as 20 coats of clear urushi lacquer. Beautifully decorated in traditional Shunkei 春慶塗 urushi lacquer from the Hida-Takayama region that shows the Hinoki Cypress grain as if alive and vibrant.

Having been only very sparingly and lovingly used for decades this natsume remains in fine condition. The tea caddy is a simple cylinder shape and a normal size for natsume measuring approximately 2 1/4" tall by 3" in diameter (5.5 x 7.5 cm). A very elegant and functional piece of art to hold your favorite tea or some other treasures.