This small natsume (matcha caddy) is made from wood and coated with traditional black urushi lacquer. Comes with its custom-sized shifuku (仕服 - silk pouch) made from a brilliant blue silk brocade, decorated with geometric patterns.
Natsume are one of the two types of containers used to hold and present the matcha during a tea ceremony. Named after the Japanese word for the jujube fruit due to their resemblance in shape, natsume are used when preparing 'thin tea' or usucha (foamy matcha). However, smaller natsume like this one (called ko-natsume - 小棗) are often paired with a silk pouch, shifuku, or wrapped in a fukusa, and used to hold higher-grade matcha for koicha or 'thick tea'.
Because most natsume are not airtight, they are not suitable for long term storage and are only intended for presentation and heightening the tea making experience.
Dimensions:
5.3cm (2.1in) - width
5.3cm (2.1in) - height
40ml - capacity
Condition: Excellent
This vintage Japanese item ships from the United States
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