Sakura Chazutsu smell?

[jpo1933]

I've had one of Fujiki's chazutsu for about 5 or so months now, and for some reason the original strong "woody" scent of the caddy has still been hanging around, even with near constant use.
Anyone else experience this? Not that I really mind it, but I was sure the smell would be completely gone by now. Not sure if its bad for the leaves... but I don't wanna take any chances

[Chip]

Have you tried storing it open?

Also, is this finished in someway on the inside?

[jpo1933]

Tried storing it open the other night, chip.
No luck.
And by finished do you mean with the polish that similarly applied to the outside of the caddy?

[William]

Maybe you shoud try to store the caddy with some rice and salt inside for a couple of weeks, changing them from time to time.

[Chip]

... or store tea in it. Tea absorbs a lot of aromas without imparting new, undesirable ones.

Yes, polish or any sealant. Or does it appear to be bare bark like the outside. Any photos?

[bonescwa]

I varnished a small tea table with polyurethane and it smelled pretty awful even after drying, I filled it up with baking soda and let it sit a few days and the smell was gone. Maybe you can try that rather than have some tea absorb the amell .

[Chip]

... also, since you only left it open a day, a longer exposure to fresh air may help.

[jpo1933]

Thanks for all of the input guys!
I'd be hesitant to put anything aside from tea in it quite honestly... sakura bark feels surprisingly "delicate" as it is. Don't really want to go experimenting now
Doesn't seem like it has any sort of poly coating on it either...
Finish is the same as on the outside

[Chip]

Looks nice.

I think some or most of this style, all exposed areas are sakura, often are layered with a wood like Japanese beech for strength.

Still, this looks like a well made sakura canister, not Chinese with exposed "finished wood" which has its own toxic odor.

I have not had any issue with your type, but I have not stored Japanese greens in it long term ... more short term.

[bonescwa]

I didn't mean that it necessarily has poly in it, just that baking soda is pretty benign and will absorb the odor without sacrificing the aroma of some perfectly good tea.