Vintage Japanese Tea Ceremony Basket Set, 1966 - 1989 (Late Showa) | SKU: 26M-024

Japanese Chabako Tea Ceremony Basket Set | Vintage Chado Utensil Organizer & Wabi-Sabi Decor, 1966-1989 (Late Showa), SKU 26M-024

A complete portable chabako set -- tightly woven bamboo basket, ceramic natsume, and bamboo chakin-zutsu -- gathered in one beautifully preserved ensemble.

A chabako is a traditional Japanese carrying basket used to store and transport the essential utensils of chado, the Way of Tea. Compact and self-contained, the chabako style of tea practice was designed for outdoor and informal settings where a full tearoom was not available -- making it a beloved format for seasonal picnics, travel, and intimate gatherings. This Late Showa example is built around a tightly hand-woven bamboo basket in a rich dark espresso tone, finished at the rim with a drawstring liner of red and green patterned textile that cinches closed with a deep purple silk cord. Nested inside is a glazed ceramic natsume -- a lidded tea caddy -- finished in a deep tenmoku-style dark glaze with a flowing amber highlight and a pale ivory ceramic lid with a small knob finial. A turned bamboo chakin-zutsu (chakin cloth canister) with a fitted lid and a bundled natural-fiber filter insert completes the set. Each component reflects the handcrafted Japanese teaware aesthetic that collectors of vintage Japanese craft so highly prize.

In a modern home, this chabako set works beautifully well beyond the tea room. Display the assembled basket on a living room shelf or Japandi-style coffee table as a wabi-sabi accent that tells a quiet story. The dark ceramic natsume can hold small jewelry, rings, or trinkets on a bedroom dresser, while the woven bamboo basket serves as a desk organizer or bathroom countertop caddy for cotton rounds and small toiletries. The ensemble also makes a distinctive and thoughtful gift for collectors, tea enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to handcrafted Japanese teaware -- a truly unique housewarming gift with genuine cultural depth.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Dark-stained woven bamboo basket; red and green patterned textile liner with purple silk drawstring cord; glazed ceramic natsume with tenmoku-style dark glaze and ivory ceramic lid; turned bamboo chakin-zutsu with natural-fiber insert
• Use: Chabako-style portable tea ceremony set -- used to store and carry chado utensils for informal or outdoor tea gatherings
• Modern Use: Wabi-sabi living room or shelf display; ceramic natsume as a bedside jewelry dish; woven basket as a desk organizer or bathroom countertop caddy
• Features: Close herringbone-weave bamboo basket with deep dark patina; drawstring textile liner in vibrant red paisley-style print with purple cord and bamboo toggle; glazed ceramic natsume with flowing amber glaze accent and fitted ivory lid; two-piece bamboo chakin-zutsu with bundled natural-fiber interior; all components stored together within the basket
• Dimensions: 5"W x 5"D x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A complete and charming piece of vintage Japanese teaware -- the chabako set brings the meditative spirit of chado into any modern interior with effortless, wabi-sabi grace.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.