natsume (Tea Container)

Called natsume (棗) or usuchaki (薄茶器), it is a type of tea caddy, used to store weak green powdered tea. The name natsume derives from the shape of a Chinese date or jujube. It is used to serve usucha (薄茶) in a traditional form of Japanese tea ceremony known as sadō or chadō (茶道; the way of tea) and chanoyu (茶の湯). It is a choregraphed way of preparing and serving tea. This type of tea gathering is known as chakai (茶会) or chaji (茶事). Usucha (薄茶) is served at a chakai, a simpler type of tea ceremony; a chaji is a more formal event.

Part of a tea set (529/12 a-f), consisting of a tea caddy, a bag, cup, whisk and spoon.

Tea caddy. Small, lidded, cup-shaped container. The lid fits over the rim of the base. Both are black lacquerware.