- size: approx. 6.2cm (2 7⁄16in)

- tall: approx. 6.6cm (2 19⁄32in)

- weight: 102g (185g)

- condition: small damaged (see pictures)

Natsume is a traditional tea caddy made from high-grade wood and decorated with a gold lacquer called Makie. Its name comes from its shape, which is like a jujube (natsume in Japanese). Before the famous artist Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) used natsume tea caddies in his tea ceremonies, pottery tea caddies were the norm. Natsume was used for daily necessities as pill case or something for townsman. Natsume remains popular with Tea Ceremony masters to the present day.
　Originally, usucha (weak green tea) was called "packed tea" because it was a low-quality tea that was used to fill in the space around bagged koicha (strong green tea) when it was placed in a tea earn. For that reason, from the time of Takeno Joo to the time of Sen no Rikyu, "tea" only referred to koicha. Because usucha was looked down upon, its container was a wooden box called a hikiya, the purpose of which was to store the chaire, koicha tea caddy. In other words, the case originally used for the chaire, koicha tea caddy, was put to another use, eventually being used independently as a usucha tea caddy. Technically, the hikiya for tea containers like nasu (an eggplant-shaped tea caddy) and bunrin (an apple-shaped tea caddy) is called a natsume and the hikiya for katatsuki (a container with protruding parts at the top) is called a nakatsugi, but generally, it is common to refer to both kinds of hikiya as natsume. They are broadly classified as large natsume, medium natsume, and small natsume, and each of these categories is further divided into large, medium, and small.

Shipping
+ We will via EMS (with a tracking number and insurance) and mark the package as a personal-use gift.
+ We only ship it to countries that accept EMS and addresses that PayPal accepts.
+ 5% combine discount - If you buy two or more items, we will send you an rebate via PayPal.
+ Shipping time is usually around 2 weeks.
+ We cannot take responsibility for delay, return, damage or loss due to Customs or post office handling.
+ France - Please inform us of your digicode or phone number when you buy it.
+ We usually use corrugated cardboard box and Bubble Wrap for safe package.

Import Tax
We will write the sales price on an invoice unless you contact us. If you want us to write lower cost on the invoice, please let us know when make your payment.
Please understand that you lost the insurance in this case.

If items lost or broken
Please understand that delay, return, damage or loss due to customs or post office handling is not under our control.
EMS is insured. If the items lost or broken, please let us know.

Payment
We accept PayPal only. Please make your payment within 7 days.

Return Policy
We accept returned items only if you contact us within 30 days after you receive the items. Return-shipping costs are the buyer’s responsibility. When the items arrive at our office, we will refund you ASAP after checking the item's condition. 20% restocking fee may apply.

International Buyers
Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. Our apologies, if the custom tax is necessary in your country, it will be your payment. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
Tax and customs charges are normally collected by the delivery company or paid when you pick the item up. Please don't confuse these charges for additional shipping charges.

Attention
Please be sure to view photographs carefully in order to avoid errors. Many of the items we sell are vintage so please understand that they will not all be in perfect condition. Our goal is for your buying experience to be a pleasure. If there are any problems, please email us before leaving feedback as anything can be resolved with communication.

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