Japanese Tea Ceremony Natsume Natural Quince Wood 3” Kodansu written in Japanese Kanji characters

written in Japanese Kanji characters are the words in Japanese for manju (see picture 11)

The kodansu was a special personal chest and was used to store everything from letter writing accessories as well as money

5" in diameter (15 x 7

The insects are rendered with lifelike accuracy—large compound eyes

1850s–1890s

Japanese Tea Ceremony Natsume Natural Quince Wood 3” Kodansu written in Japanese Kanji charactersThis 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