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

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 wood composite 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 composite.