This is a vintage Japanese natsume or tea caddy used in the chanoyu tea ceremony.  It holds the powdered green tea called matcha. A quality natsume such as this is made of turn wood, typically hinoki or Japanese cypress. The wood is lacquered in the traditional Japanese method with over 20 coats of urushi lacquer. This particular lacquer is deep red and decorated in a  maki-e Autumn flora motif, this is a beautiful example of Japanese lacquerware. The signed kiri wood box is included.

Signature by Yosai (陽斎) / Okamoto Yosai (岡本 陽斎)

Height = 2.5“

Diameter = 2.5"

Weight = 5.22 oz