A light natural wood gift box with black Japanese calligraphy and a navy-and-white striped ribbon tied around it, placed on a woven mat against a plain light background.

Matte Black Nakanatsume by Ryosai Sawada – Japanese Lacquer Matcha Tea Caddy

$255.00

Matte Black Nakanatsume by Ryosai Sawada

A refined Nakanatsume (中棗) by Japanese lacquer artist Ryosai Sawada (澤田亮斉), finished in an understated matte black lacquer.

Free from decorative motifs, this natsume expresses the quiet beauty of simplicity. The soft, non-glossy black surface draws attention to the balanced proportions of the form and the quality of the lacquerwork itself, creating a calm and sophisticated presence in the tea room.

Unlike highly decorated seasonal natsume, a plain black chaki offers exceptional versatility. Its restrained appearance allows it to pair naturally with a wide range of chawan, chashaku, and other tea utensils without competing with their colors or motifs.

The Nakanatsume (中棗) is a classic, well-balanced form of chaki used to hold matcha for the preparation of usucha (thin tea). Its timeless shape and neutral black finish make this piece particularly useful for tea practitioners seeking a dependable yet refined utensil for a variety of tea settings.

Because it has no season-specific decoration, this natsume may be used throughout the year and is an excellent choice for both regular practice and a chakai.

Its simplicity also reflects an important aspect of Japanese aesthetics: beauty does not always depend on elaborate decoration. Here, the form, surface, and craftsmanship are allowed to speak for themselves.

Details

  • Artist: Ryosai Sawada (澤田亮斉)

  • Type: Nakanatsume (中棗)

  • Finish: Matte Black Lacquer

  • Design: Plain / Undecorated

  • Chaki / Matcha Tea Caddy

  • For Usucha

  • Season: All Season

  • Made in Japan

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