Vintage Japanese Tea Ceremony Natsume Phoenix w/ Kiri Box 2 3/4”

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 over 20 coats of urushi lacquer. This particular lacquer is black and decorated with a red-gold Phoenix and cloud motif, this is a beautiful example of Japanese lacquer ware. The kiri wood box included.

Having been only very sparingly and lovingly used for decades, even with the hairline split point out in the photos, this natsume remains in very good condition. The tea caddy is a simple cylinder shape and a normal size for natsume measuring approximately 2 3/4" tall by 2 1/2" in diameter (7 x 6.25 cm). A very elegant and functional piece of art to hold your favorite tea or some other treasures.