Show Off Your Pots and Cups VIII

[chamekke]

I found a sweet little tea canister at a charity shop the other day, apparently unused.

Any idea what wood this is made of? The material is very lightweight. I thought it might be bamboo, but the grain is completely new to me:

[chamekke]

I may have discovered the answer

Here's a paulownia "natsume" being sold on eBay (although natsume-s don't typically have an inner lid - so I still think it's a tea canister!):

[geeber1]

... you are the Googler! Sounds like a modern day replacement for the Riddler,
"google me this Batman, when is a katawaguruma not a wet wheel depicted in Japanese artifacts?"

Wow, so my little humble natsume depicts so much historicity and symbolism! Awesome.

Chip, is historicity in the dictionary? If not, it should be!

[Chip]

I may have discovered the answer

Here's a paulownia "natsume" being sold on eBay (although natsume-s don't typically have an inner lid - so I still think it's a tea canister!):

Great find, Cham! I have the dark one, I think. It is Pauliana wood and very light, like balsam wood light. Mine is really tiny, have to measure it, but I am certain it is less than 2" tall and has the inner lid.

Chip, is historicity in the dictionary? If not, it should be!

Indeed, unless Dictionary.com is making it up as well ...

[Victoria]

Chamekke it is like my chataku I traded with Amanita Eater for.
I can't believe how lightweight the Pauliana wood is.

[chamekke]

Great find, Cham! I have the dark one, I think. It is Pauliana wood and very light, like balsam wood light. Mine is really tiny, have to measure it, but I am certain it is less than 2" tall and has the inner lid.

Mine is 2.75" tall - again, not very big.

I'm more familiar with paulownia (kiri in Japanese) being used to make boxes for tea utensils - especially tea bowls. And yes, it's unbelievably light - but also strong, since these boxes also needed to protect the contents from earthquakes.

Very pleased I found this container. I've been trying to economize on tea utensils (there's a chance of layoffs at my workplace), but this was 50 cents at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, so...

P.S. Interesting article about kiribako here.

[geeber1]

Great find, Cham! I have the dark one, I think. It is Pauliana wood and very light, like balsam wood light. Mine is really tiny, have to measure it, but I am certain it is less than 2" tall and has the inner lid.

Chip, is historicity in the dictionary? If not, it should be!

Indeed, unless Dictionary.com is making it up as well ...

Chamekke, you sure are good at finding those bargains! Your thrift stores must be SO much better than the ones where I live!

Chip, I thought maybe you had W.'s talent of making up new words, as in "They misunderestimated me."

[Chip]

Very pleased I found this container. I've been trying to economize on tea utensils (there's a chance of layoffs at my workplace), but this was 50 cents at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, so...

P.S. Interesting article about kiribako here.

Wow, 50 cents, around here, the only finds in SA'S, etc., are pure junk, tooooo far away from the west coast.

Chip, I thought maybe you had W.'s talent of making up new words, as in "They misunderestimated me."

I am surpassingly renowned for discombobulating phraseologies, aka locutions, "no point crying over spilled tea..."
.

[chamekke]

Very pleased I found this container. I've been trying to economize on tea utensils (there's a chance of layoffs at my workplace), but this was 50 cents at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, so...

Wow, 50 cents, around here, the only finds in SA'S, etc., are pure junk, tooooo far away from the west coast.

Oh, believe me, that's usually the case hereabouts as well. I was very surprised!

Hmm, I just did a bit of Googling, and seems that this really is a natsume (for travel purposes). Awesome!!!

[hpulley]

Kiri is commonly used for geta (wooden clog like sandals) so light and strong are useful characteristics!

The kiri flower figures prominently on much Japanese tea ware and kimono and obi as well.

[thanks]

Pawlonia is also used as gosu bako, or boxes for go stone bowls.

[heavydoom]

tea table, 120 rmb = $20 canadian dollars, bought in china :




a low profile gaiwan with a wide rim and its beaker, a total of 8 rmb or couple of bucks :




and this gaiwan too, a couple of bucks :

[Victoria]

Very nice!! I can really see the advantages of a bigger table.
Maybe one day, if I have more room.
Love your new gaiwan and pitcher too! Congrats!

[Chip]

Nice buys, HD! Did you go to China?

[chamekke]

Kiri is commonly used for geta (wooden clog like sandals) so light and strong are useful characteristics!

Come to think of it, my geta are made of paulownia. Hadn't actually noticed before {blush}.

The kiri flower figures prominently on much Japanese tea ware and kimono and obi as well.

It's actually one of my favourite designs!

For those who aren't sure what this looks like, here's a page of kiri kamon (family crests):

http://www.otomiya.com/kamon/plant/kiri.htm