Japanese Natsume Tea Ceremony Caddy Kamakura-bori Red Signed 湯川 清谷 3”

This is a vintage Japanese 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 over 20 coats of urushi lacquer. This particular lacquer is red and carved with a deep flower petal pattern. With a hanko (stamp signature) on the bottom. This is a beautiful example of Japanese carving and lacquer ware. The signed kiri wood box is also included.

Signature by by Yukawa Seikoku (湯川 清谷 1933 to 2020)

Height = 3.5“