Vintage Japanese Natsume Tea Caddy Tea Ceremony Lacquered Kiku & Kiri

This is a vintage Japanese natsume or tea caddy used in the chanoyu tea ceremony.  It holds the powdered green tea called matcha. A qualitynatsume such as this is made of turn wood, typicallyhinoki or Japanese cypress. The wood is lacquered in the traditional Japanese method with over 20 coats of urushi lacquer. This particular lacquer is black and decorated in a  makie gold chrysanthemums and paulownia leaves motif, this is a beautiful example of Japanese lacquerware. The kiri wood box included.

Having been only very sparingly and lovingly used for decades this remains in condition . The tea caddy is a simple cylinder shape and a normal size fornatsume measuring approximately 2 3/4" tall by 2 1/2" in diameter (7 x 6.5 cm). A very elegant and functional piece of art to hold your favorite tea or some other treasures.

PLEASE NOTE Any other items shown in the photos besides the Natsume are props and example of how the item might be used and are NOT included in the sales of this listing.