Japanese Natsume Tea Caddy Red & Black Lacquer 2.5" Modern art Ainu Nipopo cultural guardian figures

Ainu Nipopo cultural guardian figures hand carved in Hokkaidō

5" at the widest point and is 12” tall

The substantial illustrated dictionary of ukiyo-e provides biographical entries on artists

5"H Top = 24"H

Japanese Natsume Tea Caddy Red & Black Lacquer 2.5" Modern art Ainu Nipopo cultural guardian figuresThis is a vintage Japanese chu natsume or tea caddy used in the chanoyu tea ceremony. It holds the 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 the traditional Japanese method with over 20 coats of urushi lacquer. Beautifully decorated in traditional motifs. Having been only very sparingly and lovingly used for decades this natsume remains in fine