Vintage Japanese Copper Tea Canister (Chazutsu), Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0205-6

Vintage Japanese Tin Tea Canister (Chazutsu), Mid Showa 1946-1965 | SKU: 26J-0205-6

A handcrafted tin tea canister with warm patina, stamped maker's seal, and a satisfying double-lid system -- a quiet relic of postwar Japanese daily life.

A chazutsu is a traditional Japanese tea caddy used to store loose-leaf tea in the home, keeping the leaves fresh and protected from light and air. This compact cylindrical example, dating to the Mid Showa era (1946-1965), is formed from sheet tin with seamed sides and a fitted outer slip-on lid that nests over an inner disk lid -- a two-stage seal design common to Japanese tea canisters of the period. The warm reddish-brown exterior patina deepens toward amber and sienna, punctuated by scattered verdigris spots that speak to decades of natural oxidation. A stamped maker's seal is visible on the base, a mark of the craftsman's pride typical of vintage Japanese metalwork. The interior shows heavier oxidation consistent with age and prior use. This is an honest, characterful piece of handcrafted Japanese craft rather than a decorative showpiece.

Despite its age and patina, this chazutsu translates beautifully into modern interiors. Its compact cylindrical silhouette and warm tin tones make it a natural living room accent or bedside table object in a wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi style setting. Use it as a small keepsake box on a home office desk, a ring or trinket holder in the bedroom, or simply display it alongside other vintage Japanese metalware as a collector's piece. It also makes a thoughtful and distinctive gift for Japanophiles or tea ceremony enthusiasts who appreciate authentic objects with a genuine history.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Tin sheet with natural patina and verdigris; stamped base seal
• Use: Tea caddy (chazutsu) -- storing loose-leaf tea in the home
• Modern Use: Desktop keepsake or ring holder; decorative accent in a wabi-sabi or Japandi styled room; display piece in a vintage Japanese metalware collection
• Features: Cylindrical seamed-tin body; fitted outer slip-on lid with inner disk lid for double-layer seal; warm reddish-brown patina with verdigris accents; stamped maker's seal on base; heavy oxidation on interior surfaces
• Dimensions: 2"Diameter x 4 1/2"H
• Condition: Vintage patina overall; exterior shows warm natural oxidation with verdigris spots; interior and inner lid show significant corrosion consistent with age -- display use recommended; structurally intact

A genuine piece of vintage Japanese craft -- its aged tin surface and quiet cylindrical form bring an authentic wabi-sabi warmth to any modern home or collection.

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.