*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

 This listing is for a Kaba-zaiku cherry bark tea caddy with scoop made around 30 years ago. The interior of the caddy is made of tin and there is an outer lid and an inner lid to keep your tea nice and fresh.  The carving on the front of the caddy is of a butterbur leaf, a plant highly revered for its medicinal qualities.  Cherry bark has been in use since early the 1700s by craftsmen who produced tobacco cases, fumibako and chopsticks for the ruling class. To make a tea caddy, a skilled craftsman needs to scrape and polish the bark until the surface becomes smooth and shiny. It is then applied to the surface of cherry wood. These types of canisters should never be washed along with your other dishes. To clean it, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth and leave it air dry. 

Kaba-zaiku refers to wares made in Akita Prefecture using the bark of cherry trees. Cherry tree bark is known for its naturally beautiful patterns and deep brown colour. The bark is professionally lacquered resulting in a very smooth and strong finish. This is particularly important in cold places like Tohoku mainly because everyday items need moisture and cold protection. Kaba-zaiku has been recognized as an important traditional craft of Tohoku and tends to be very expensive.

Sizes

Caddy:  H.7.6cm (2.9”) x Dia.7.7cm (3”)

Scoop:  L.8.5cm (3.3”)

Condition

There are scratches on the interior, scratches where the lid turns, and scratches under the lid.  The bark is in pretty good condition, just a couple light scratches on the lid, and a small patch of wear.  The scoop is in very good condition.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.