Japanese Natsume Tea Caddy Red & Black Lacquer 2.5" Lacquer Medium: Copper alloy with gilt

Medium: Copper alloy with gilt relief

This scroll

foliage and a guardian figure flank the entrance

5" long by 4" wide by 1

Japanese Natsume Tea Caddy Red & Black Lacquer 2.5" Lacquer Medium: Copper alloy with giltThis 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. Beautifully decorated in traditional motifs. Having been only very sparingly and lovingly used for decades this natsume remains in fine