Natsume, Chu (middle size), Black with Red Accents Called Akebono, Lacquer over Wood

A natsume or usuchaki is one of the traditional containers for Matcha tea powder for usucha, or thin tea in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. A natsume comes is several sizes, shapes, colors and compositions.

The one pictured here is a lacquer design called Akebono. This size natsume is a Chu, or middle size natsume. It can be made of layers of lacquer over a wooden form or lacquer over a plastic form. The one using the wooden form is more auspicious, but the one with the plastic form is usually less expensive and is good for practice. Lacquer over wood.