Vintage wooden Natsume

Description

Natsume in simple, elegant, round wood with a smooth, polished surface. With no lacquer or pattern, this Natsume has a natural wood grain that is clearly visible, highlighting organic patterns and subtle color variations. The container features a tight-fitting lid, making it ideal for storing matcha tea, the basis for Natsume’s use in the Japanese tea ceremony: Chanoyu. The craftsmanship emphasizes simplicity and functionality, while the smooth finish, which enhances the natural beauty of the wood, gives it a warm, welcoming appearance. It’s hard to give an exact age for this wooden tea caddy, but it’s probably from& the 2nd half of the 20th century. Japanese craftsmanship. This box comes from an antique store in Japan. The natsume (抹茶茶器) is a small box used in the Japanese tea ceremony, specifically to hold matcha, green tea powder. As part of the ceremony, the natsume plays an essential role in the tea-making process. During the chanoyu ceremony, the tea master places the matcha in this container before mixing it with hot water using a bamboo whisk, the chasen. The natsume is traditionally made of wood, often lacquered or decorated with subtle motifs, and its compact, elegant design reflects the aesthetic principles of wabi-sabi, which values simplicity and imperfection. Its small size and rounded shape facilitate delicate handling, symbolizing the humility and mastery of gestures in the tea ceremony. In some variants of the ceremony, the natsume is also used to convey the idea of hospitality and respect for guests, offering a sensual and meditative experience beyond the simple drinking of tea.

• Unique piece
• Vintage
• Near mint condition, looks unused
• Provenance: Japan – Antiquaire