This dark brown lacquer natsume is decorated with gold and iridescent maki-e (蒔絵) in a traditional motif of autumn plants called akigusa (秋草), which include silver grass (ススキ - susuki), bellflowers (桔梗 - kikyou), nadeshiko (撫子), eastern valerian (女郎花 - ominaeshi), and bush clover (萩 - hagi). While it appears dark brown from a distance, the natsume is actually black with a finely speckled red that catches the light (this can be seen most clearly on the seventh picture which shows the top of the lid

The inside of the natsume is finished in a gold nashi-ji (梨地) pattern: a style of lacquer finish which employs dappled gold powder to produce a 'pear-like' texture. 

The natsume is made from urushi lacquer over a wood powder and resin core and was crafted by Hoshino Shinonome (星野東雲).

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:

6.7cm (2.6in) - width
6.7cm (2.6in) - height

Condition: New

This Japanese item ships from the United States.