These are collectors items - each piece is unique due to the techniques employed by the artisan. There are natural variations in each piece.)
Handcrafted Matcha canister, diameter: 2.75inch (7cm) height: 2.75inch (7cm)
Traditional Yamanaka Nuri lacquer craftNATSUME is a beautiful little Matcha container traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony. Matcha is stored in NATSUME temporarily, and Matcha is scooped from NATSUME to the Matcha bowl.
Yamanaka Nuri is well known for high quality lacquer ware. Yamanaka is located in Ishikawa Prefecture and faces the Sea of Japan. It is about 200km (124miles) from Kyoto, which had been the MIYAKO capital of Japan for over a thousand years. There are many sophisticated works in Yamanaka Nuri lacquer craft.
MATSU means pine, and TSURU means crane in Japanese. Both of them have been regarded as the traditional auspicious composition symbolizing longevity in Japan. Cranes hold pine branches in their beaks on this Natsume. This pattern was used in ancient earthenware and lacquer about 1000 years ago. The contrast between golden color of cranes and vermilion color enhances its auspiciousness.
Specially packaged in a carton box.
Made in Japan.