Vintage Japanese Tea Ceremony Natsume Tea Caddy Red Lacquer Crane & Pine Tree Chadansu The hand crafted decorations are

The hand crafted decorations are of wisteria in various shades of purple and a bluebird on an exquisite turquoise blue background

They are heavy and stay at the bottom of a water filled vase

This in an antique Japanese Taisho era c

In the center the Mitsubishi Mon (Three Diamonds) or Family Crest is featured

very functional antique kiseru

Vintage Japanese Tea Ceremony Natsume Tea Caddy Red Lacquer Crane & Pine Tree Chadansu The hand crafted decorations areThis is a vintage Japanese natsume or tea caddy used in the chanoyu tea ceremony. It is used to hold powdered green tea called matcha. A quality natsume such as this is made of turn wood, typically hinoki or Japanese cypress. The wood is lacquered in red and painted with fine black lacquer details. This is a beautiful example of Japanese design style. Having been only very sparingly and lovingly used for decades this natsume remains in fine condition.