Vintage Japanese Sayama-cha Wooden Tea Crate, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0432-4

Vintage Japanese Sayama-cha Wooden Tea Crate, Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0432-4

A rare Mid Showa-era bulk tea crate from the Sayama growing region -- bearing original cooperative labels, a reflective metal-lined interior, and a striking green-painted rim band.

A Sayama-cha crate is a traditional Japanese wooden shipping box used by tea cooperatives to transport and preserve large quantities of loose-leaf Sayama tea -- one of Japan's three great tea varieties, grown in the Tokorozawa district of Saitama Prefecture. This handcrafted Japanese tea crate was issued by the Tokorozawa Chagyo Kyokai (Tokorozawa Tea Industry Cooperative) and retains its bold green-and-natural-wood printed rim band, which encircles all four sides of the fitted lid and reads out the cooperative's name in a repeating pattern. The front face carries a large original paper label printed in deep green and gold, featuring a stylized tea-leaf graphic and the Sayama-cha designation alongside the cooperative name -- a compelling piece of vintage Japanese commercial graphics. A second handwritten paper label on the opposite face records consignment details consistent with cooperative distribution records of the period.

Today this vintage Japanese tea crate translates beautifully into a range of modern home uses. Its generous interior -- still lined with its original reflective metal foil sheeting, applied to preserve the aroma and freshness of the tea -- makes it a surprisingly practical storage chest for blankets, magazines, or seasonal items in a living room accent role. Placed beside a sofa or at the foot of a bed, the warm honey-toned softwood exterior and graphic green label art bring a wabi-sabi aesthetic and a genuine sense of Japanese craft history into any space. It would make an exceptional gift for collectors, Japanophiles, or anyone drawn to mid-century Japanese folk objects and artisan industry.

• Origin: Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Lightweight softwood construction (likely sugi or similar), fully lined interior with reflective metal foil sheeting; original printed and handwritten paper labels
• Use: Bulk loose-leaf Sayama-cha tea storage and cooperative shipping crate
• Modern Use: Living room storage chest for blankets or magazines; entryway accent box or side table; display piece or collector's statement object in a Japandi-style interior
• Features: Green-painted cooperative name band encircling the fitted lid rim; large original Sayama-cha paper label with tea-leaf graphic; handwritten consignment label on reverse face; full metal foil interior lining intact; wear, patina, and minor splitting consistent with age and use
• Dimensions: 20"W x 14"D x 16"H
• Condition: Good vintage condition -- original labels partially worn and splitting at edges; surface patina and minor wood splitting consistent with age; metal foil interior lining remains largely intact.

A striking piece of vintage Japanese craft history -- this Sayama-cha tea crate brings warmth, graphic boldness, and the quiet poetry of Japanese artisan industry into any modern home.

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 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.