Tsuyu Sasa O-Natsume Matcha Caddy Shu Urushi & Washi-bari

Tsuyu Sasa O-Natsume by Juho Wada

An elegant O-Natsume (大棗) by Japanese lacquer artist Juho Wada (和田寿峰), featuring a refined Tsuyu Sasa (露笹) motif—bamboo leaves touched with drops of dew.

The natsume is crafted from mizume wood (水目) and finished with washi-bari (和紙張), a traditional technique in which Japanese washi paper is carefully applied over the wooden base before the lacquer finish. The subtle texture created by the washi adds depth and character to the surface while giving the piece a distinctive handcrafted quality.

Finished in a warm shu (朱) red tone, the natsume is decorated with delicate sasa (bamboo grass) leaves and drops of morning dew. In Japanese seasonal aesthetics, dew suggests freshness, transience, and the quiet beauty of nature, while sasa brings a graceful sense of movement to the composition.

The refreshing imagery of dew-covered bamboo leaves is especially well suited to the warmer months, when coolness and freshness are particularly appreciated in the tea room. It makes an elegant seasonal choice for a summer or early-autumn chakai.

The larger O-Natsume form provides a generous surface for the decoration, allowing the restrained Tsuyu Sasa design and distinctive washi texture to be fully appreciated.

Created by Juho Wada, this piece combines natural wood, washi, lacquerwork, and a poetic seasonal motif in a refined chaki for Chanoyu.

Details

• Artist: Juho Wada (和田寿峰)

• Type: O-Natsume (大棗)

• Size: 2.4

• Material: Mizume Wood (水目)

• Surface Technique: Washi-bari (和紙張)

• Finish: Shu (朱)

• Motif: Tsuyu Sasa (露笹) – Dew on Bamboo Leaves

• Chaki / Matcha Tea Caddy

• For Usucha

• Made in Japan

Yamanaka Lacquerware is a traditional craft produced in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history of about 450 years. It is particularly known for its precise woodturning techniques, which create thin, smooth wooden surfaces, and for its exquisite lacquer coating and maki-e (gold or silver decoration). Multiple layers of lacquer enhance its durability and elegant gloss. Yamanaka lacquerware natsume (tea caddy) exemplifies both craftsmanship and refined beauty, making it a highly valued tea ceremony utensil that blends functionality with artistry.

Natsume is a lacquered container used in the tea ceremony to store powdered matcha. It is named after the shape of the natsume fruit. The natsume helps preserve the quality of the matcha, as it protects the powder from moisture and air, which can cause it to deteriorate. It is an essential tea utensil, combining both functionality and aesthetic value in the tea ceremony.

Nishimoto a distinguished producer of Yamanaka lacquerware based in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, specializes in crafting and selling tea ceremony utensils, lacquerware. With a significant market share in tea ceremony items, including matcha bowls, thin tea containers, and incense boxes, Nishimoto is celebrated for its precise "Kiri-Awase-Guchi" technique and elegant lacquer finishes. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern designs to enhance the enjoyment of matcha and its ambiance. Nishimoto’s dedication to quality and innovation has earned its products widespread acclaim in specialty stores and department stores, contributing to the global recognition of Yamanaka lacquerware.