Japanese Lacquer Tea Caddy (Natsume) — with Kamakura Kando Shifuku Product Details In the Japanese tea ceremony, even the container that holds the tea has a story. This is a Natsume — a small lacquered wooden tea caddy used in the preparation of matcha during the tea ceremony. The word comes from the jujube fruit, which the rounded form resembles. The surface is finished in deep amber-red urushi lacquer, the traditional Japanese lacquer made from tree sap and built up in layers over many months. The wood grain shows through in places, giving the surface a warmth that deepens with handling. The lid fits with the quiet precision of a well-made wooden object. It opens with almost no resistance, then seats itself with a soft stop. What makes this piece a complete set is the Shifuku — the silk brocade pouch made to fit the caddy exactly. This one is woven in the Kamakura Kando pattern: a textile tradition that traces back to imported fabrics from Ming-dynasty China and Southeast Asia, reaching Japan through the ports of the medieval period. The pattern — bold stripes interlaced with finer lines in contrasting colours — became one of the most prestigious textile designs in the tea ceremony world. Historical records associate it with the robes of Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate, and with furnishings at Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura. It appears as the shifuku fabric for some of Japan's most celebrated antique tea caddies. A fabric certificate accompanying this piece identifies the pattern as Kamakura Kando, Ichimatsu weave, with the maker's seal. Together — caddy, shifuku, and certificate — the set is ready to use or display exactly as it was intended. About Japanese Lacquerware and Key Terms What is Natsume? A Natsume is a small lacquered wooden tea caddy used in the Japanese tea ceremony to hold powdered matcha for usucha — thin tea. The name comes from the jujube fruit, which the rounded form resembles. Unlike the ceramic Chaire used for thick tea, the Natsume is made from turned wood and finished in urushi lacquer — the traditional Japanese lacquer derived from tree sap, built up in layers over many months. The Natsume is one of the most handled objects in the tea ceremony, passing between host and guest, and its surface deepens and develops with use over time. Urushi lacquer Urushi is the sap of the urushi tree, refined and applied in successive thin layers to a wooden base. Each layer must dry slowly in a humid environment before the next is added — a process that can take months or years for a single piece. The resulting surface is extraordinarily durable, with a depth and warmth that synthetic lacquers cannot replicate. Genuine urushi lacquerware is distinguished from resin imitations by its subtle translucency, the way it responds to handling, and the faint organic variation in its surface. Shifuku A Shifuku is a custom-fitted drawstring pouch of woven silk brocade made to hold and protect a tea caddy. Each Shifuku is made for a specific vessel and selected to complement it in colour, pattern, and weight of fabric. In the tea ceremony, the Shifuku is as much an object of attention as the caddy it contains — its textile pattern, quality of weave, and condition are all considered by the host when assembling the utensils for a gathering. Meibutsu-gire Meibutsu-gire — famous textiles — refers to a canon of historic woven fabrics that have been used as Shifuku material for celebrated tea utensils over centuries. Many originated as imported silks from Ming Dynasty China or Southeast Asia, arriving in Japan through medieval trade routes. Over time, specific patterns became associated with particular tea masters, schools, or celebrated objects, giving them a cultural weight beyond their material quality. The Kamakura Kando pattern — represented in this piece — is among the most prestigious of these historic textile traditions. Kamakura Kando Kamakura Kando is one of the most revered patterns in the Meibutsu-gire canon. The name refers to Kando — a striped textile tradition with origins in imported Chinese and Southeast Asian fabrics — as it came to be associated with Kamakura, the seat of Japan's first shogunate. Historical accounts link the pattern to the robes of Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate, and to furnishings at Kenchoji Temple. Its characteristic bold stripes interlaced with finer contrasting lines became one of the most prestigious Shifuku fabrics in the tea ceremony world, appearing on some of Japan's most celebrated antique tea caddies. Condition & Specifications Condition: Excellent for age. No chips, cracks, or restoration. While this is a vintage piece, it shows no visible signs of use and retains its original appearance in outstanding condition. Height: 5.8 cm Width: 9.4 cm Mouth diameter: 9.2 cm Weight: 81 g Shifuku (Kamakura Kando, Ichimatsu weave) and fabric certificate included Total weight with box and shifuku: 132 g Shipping Information This item is shipped via Japan Post EMS as our standard shipping method. Depending on the destination and logistics situation, we may use DHL or FedEx for the fastest and safest delivery. All items include a tracking number and insurance. Each item is carefully wrapped in protective cushioning materials and secured within a double-walled cardboard box to ensure safe international transit. Delivery Lead Time Normally takes approximately one week. Please note that delivery times may vary depending on the country, region, and customs procedures. Duties and Taxes Please note that import duties, taxes, and VAT are not included in the product price or shipping cost. These fees are typically levied in the destination country and are the responsibility of the purchaser. Thank you for your understanding. Damage / Loss In the unlikely event that your item is damaged or lost during shipping, please retain all packaging materials and contact us immediately with photos of the product and box to file an insurance claim. Returns As all items are unique antiques or artworks, we do not accept returns unless the item received significantly differs from the description. In such cases, please contact us within 7 days of receipt. Product Descriptions & Images Every item is personally selected and described with meticulous attention to detail. We strive to represent each piece as accurately as possible through photographs and written descriptions. Please note that colors and textures may appear slightly different depending on your screen settings and lighting conditions. If you have any questions about a specific item, please feel free to contact us before placing a bid. About Our Shop Based in Tobe Town, Ehime Prefecture — the 250-year-old birthplace of Tobe ware — our shop was founded with a singular purpose: to bring the profound art of Japanese ceramics to collectors around the world. From masterpieces crafted by renowned artisans to one-of-a-kind expressions created in hidden workshops, we deliver carefully selected pieces that emphasize the quality and dignity of the work itself, rather than fame. From Tobe Town, a historic folk art town, we bring the true beauty of Japanese ceramics and its handed-down spirit straight to your home.