Colorful Six Gourds Natsume Matcha Container Kitano-Tojudo beautifully enhancing the presentation of

beautifully enhancing the presentation of the food

The sakura designs are masked

A beautiful Kyo ware matcha bowl chawan adorned with the elegant combination of pink sakura (cherry blossoms) and a golden full moon

or small appetizers

The beauty of the wood and the warmth of Japanese craftsmanship are gently conveyed

Colorful Six Gourds Natsume Matcha Container Kitano-Tojudo beautifully enhancing the presentation ofThis natsume is a large tea caddy traditionally used for serving usucha, or thin tea. Crafted from mizume (Japanese cherry birch)a fine grained natural woodit is meticulously finished with layers of urushi lacquer from the base coat to the final polish. Since the wooden foundation is shaped by hand from start to finish, completion requires years of meticulous work. The design depicted here is the mubyo, or "six gourds" motif. In Japan, six gourds have