Japanese Natsume - 小林漆器 Kobayashi - Black Kara-Nuri Lacquerware Matcha Caddy

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Regular price $144.00
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This black lacquer natsume is decorated with traditional urushi lacquer in a traditional Japanese pattern called 'kara-nuri' (唐塗).

This pattern is characterized by the speckled spots made when lacquer is applied using a special pallet knife with multiple circular holes. After the lacquer dries, it is polished and another layer is added using the special tool. This process repeats many times until the pattern is built up. Each product coated with this lacquer is a one-of-a-kind item due to the intricate and time-consuming nature of the craft.

The natsume is made from urushi lacquer over a wood powder and resin core and was crafted by Kobayashi Lacquerware (小林漆器).

Kobayashi Lacquerware (小林漆器) in Aomori Prefecture produces Tsugaru-nuri (津軽塗), the traditional lacquerware of Aomori and are headed by 6th generation Masatomo Kobayashi. You can see their workshop in action (including the production of kara-nuri) here: https://youtu.be/X5040gpJV28?si=udW23Pu9evy8YRxg

Usuchaki (薄茶器 - thin tea vessel) are wooden or lacquered wood containers used to store and present the matcha used for making usucha (薄茶 - thin tea). Of these, the natsume (棗 - chinese date/jujube) style is the most common, and often usuchaki are referred to generally as natsume. Traditionally, natsume are made from turned wood and covered with urushi lacquer, though today cheaper plastic and resin options are commonly used for practice. The most formal or shin natsume are undecorated black lacquer, while red, vermillion, decorated, or unlacquered natsume are slightly more informal.  

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:

6.5cm (2.6in) - width
6.5cm (2.6in) - height

Condition: New

This Japanese item ships from the United States. 

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