Vintage Japanese Chaire (Tea Caddy) with Shifuku and Storage Box, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0796

Vintage Japanese Chaire (Tea Caddy) with Shifuku and Storage Box, Early Showa 1927-1945 | SKU: 26J-0796

A hand-thrown stoneware chaire with ash-glaze brushwork, amber-toned fitted lid, brocade shifuku bag, and wooden storage box -- a complete vintage Japanese tea ceremony set.

A chaire is a small, lidded ceramic vessel used in the Japanese tea ceremony (chado) to store koicha -- thick, powdered matcha -- during formal gatherings. Considered one of the most treasured utensils in the tea room, a chaire was selected with great care by the host, often chosen for the expressiveness of its glaze and the meditative quality of its form. This example is hand-thrown in dense, iron-rich stoneware, displaying a warm terracotta body below a boldly brushed dark ash glaze that breaks naturally across the shoulder -- a hallmark of the restrained, wabi-sabi aesthetic prized in Japanese vintage ceramics. The narrow mouth is fitted with a small amber-toned disc lid, likely horn or composite material, that seats snugly into the opening in the traditional manner. The entire caddy nestles into a sage-green and gold brocade shifuku drawstring bag with deep purple braided cord -- itself a considered object -- and the set is housed in a plain wooden keyed storage box, consistent with the careful preservation practices common to vintage Japanese craft objects from this period.

Beyond its ceremonial origins, this chaire makes a striking living room accent or shelf display piece for collectors drawn to handcrafted Japanese ceramics and the wabi-sabi aesthetic. Its petite scale -- just over two inches wide and three inches tall -- suits a home office desk, a meditation corner, or a curated Japandi-style vignette alongside natural textiles and wood objects. The brocade shifuku bag adds a second layer of visual richness and can be displayed alongside the caddy for full effect. With its complete set of accessories intact, it also makes a unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage pottery or for anyone who practices or appreciates the art of tea.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Iron-rich stoneware with dark ash glaze; amber-toned fitted disc lid (horn or composite); sage-green and gold brocade silk shifuku bag with purple braided cord; plain wooden storage box
• Use: Storing powdered matcha (koicha) for formal Japanese tea ceremony (chado)
• Modern Use: Living room or shelf display accent; desk or meditation corner object; unique gift for collectors of Japanese vintage ceramics or tea ceremony enthusiasts
• Features: Cylindrical hand-thrown stoneware body; unglazed terracotta lower half with boldly brushed dark ash glaze on upper body and shoulder; natural glaze break with pale ash pooling; small amber-toned fitted disc lid with raised knob; complete brocade shifuku drawstring bag; plain keyed wooden storage box included
• Dimensions: 2"W x 2"D x 3"H
• Condition: Excellent

A complete and beautifully preserved piece of vintage Japanese tea ceremony craft -- one that brings the quiet elegance of chado 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.