Tray: Yamamichibon Urasenke Ryakubon , Lacquer over Plastic with Red Edge

This is a Ryakubon tray.  The Ryakubon tray comes in several finishes.  This finish is less formal, which means that the wood grain shows through the black lacquer.  The undulating rim of the tray represents a mountain-scape and is highlighted in red lacquer. This version of the tray uses a plastic rather than a wooden form under the lacquer;  this makes the tray less expensive, which is desirable for most first-time students who do not yet know their commitment to tea ceremony.

The Ryakubon tamae is the tamae most Urasenke students start learning. As a tamae, it is somewhat abbreviated, but everything you learn from it can be used later at higher levels.