Tea caddy (natsume) in red lacquer with golden decorative motives of leaves on the lid and on the body.
A Tea caddy is one of basic tool for a tea ceremony. There are 2 types of tea caddy. One is Natsume and another is Chaire. The Natsume is for thin tea powder and the Chaire is for thick tea. The caddies, generally referred to as chaki, are relatively small lidded containers, and are not storage vessels. In preparing to perform a tea-making procedure (temae), the host carefully selects the caddy for the matcha that will be used, and, as an important part of the preparations, neatly places the matcha into it. The chaki is chosen to harmonize with the other equipment used for the occasion, and the chaki is among the items the guests pay particular attention to.
- Subject Matter: Leaves
- Collections: Japanese Lacquerware Collection, Tea Ceremony Collection