Vintage Japanese Tin Chazutsu Tea Caddy, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0205-2

Vintage Japanese Tin Chazutsu Tea Caddy, Mid-Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0205-2

A handcrafted tin tea caddy with mottled fire patina and a precision double-lid seal -- a quiet testament to mid-century Japanese craft.

A chazutsu is a traditional Japanese tea caddy used to store loose-leaf tea, prized for its airtight construction that preserves freshness and aroma over time. This example, dating to the mid-Showa era, is a finely made piece of vintage Japanese craft distinguished by its richly mottled tin exterior -- a deep blue-brown patina achieved through deliberate heat or chemical coloring that gives the surface an almost painterly, organic quality. A vertical riveted seam, secured with small brass studs, runs cleanly up the body, adding an artisanal accent that speaks to handcrafted Japanese metalwork traditions. The base bears a maker's mark in romaji, a hallmark of quality production from this period.

The chazutsu's double-lid construction is its most practical feature: a snug-fitting outer tin lid seals over the body, while a separate inner metal lid with a small brass knob drops inside to create a secondary airtight barrier -- a design detail engineered specifically to protect delicate tea leaves from moisture and air. Today this compact, sculptural canister translates beautifully into modern living spaces. Use it on a kitchen counter or tea tray to store artisan loose-leaf teas, on a bedroom dresser as a small jewelry or trinket holder, or as a wabi-sabi accent piece on a living room shelf or minimalist decor vignette. It makes a thoughtful and unique gift for tea lovers, collectors of Japanese vintage pieces, or anyone drawn to the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Tin exterior with mottled heat or chemical patina; metal inner lining; brass rivets and inner lid knob
• Use: Storing loose-leaf tea; preserving freshness with a double-lid airtight seal
• Modern Use: Loose-leaf tea canister on a kitchen counter or tea tray; small jewelry or trinket holder on a dresser; decorative accent in a Japandi or wabi-sabi styled living space
• Features: Deeply mottled blue-brown tin patina; brass-riveted vertical seam along body; double-lid construction with separate inner metal lid and brass knob; maker's mark on base
• Dimensions: 2"Diameter x 4 3/4"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully patinated piece of vintage Japanese craft -- equal parts functional object and wabi-sabi sculpture for the 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.