Vintage Japanese Tea Ceremony Natsume Hardwood Tea Caddy 3” Ainu and his origins are intertwined

and his origins are intertwined with Chinese beliefs

All hardware is hand forged iron with Gumpai style handles and detailed lock plates

Forged iron side handles aid in transporting this chest even when fully loaded with possessions

The handle end plain while the tapered end is pitted and textured from use

Vintage Japanese Tea Ceremony Natsume Hardwood Tea Caddy 3” Ainu and his origins are intertwinedThis 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. 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 wider style natsume measuring approximately 2 1 2" tall by 3 1 8" in diameter (6.