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

This listing is for a seasonal lacquered bamboo chashaku made by Sasaki Reiho.  Chashaku are an essential item for traditional Japanese tea ceremony, they are used for the measuring and preparation of matcha tea. The back of the chashaku in this listing is coated in black lacquer and is decorated with a ‘tsukimi’ pattern.  During autumn, Japan celebrates the harvest moon festival known as tsukimi. When the harvest moon appears, people gaze up at the sky hoping to catch a glimpse of the rabbit that lives on the moon. Tsukimi was traditionally for giving thanks for bountiful harvests, mochi and vegetables were offered to the moon in return for successful crops the following year. This piece is ideal for autumn tea practice and comes with its original paper storage box. 

Sasaki Reiho is a veteran lacquerware artist in Fukui Prefecture.  He began studying lacquerware techniques in 1968 and specialises in producing tea utensils.  During his career his work has been selected for various exhibitions - he received the Lacquerware Association Award at the Japan Urushi Exhibition, and he also received the Recommendation Award at the annual Japan Art Exhibition.  Sasaki also works with glass and uses the makie technique to decorate items such as chawan, mizusashi and tea glasses.  He is best known for his beautiful seasonal motifs.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and cannot be used in your own listings.　　

Urushi lacquerware refers to products that have been coated in natural lacquer collected from urushi trees. The process for lacquering items is long and very labour intensive, each item requiring multiple layers of lacquer that may take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Heat and humidity are required to dry lacquer evenly and consistently, so Japan’s rainy season and summer months are ideal for this process. Urushi products are not only beautiful but also strong.

Makie refers to a crafting technique in Japan from presumably the Nara period. Craftsmen sprinkle gold or silver metal powder over successive layers of lacquer before it dries. Traditionally pure gold powder, pure gold flakes, and pure silver powder were used to complete motifs on lacquerware. The process of applying gold or silver powder requires both time and skill. At first the craftsman sketches out the design. He or she then adds charcoal powder to the base of the relief, and then a layer of urushi lacquer. Gold or silver powder is sprinkled over the wet lacquer, which acts as an adhesive. The surface is polished and then the process is repeated over and over until a beautiful raised pattern appears.

Sizes
Paper Box: H.2.8cm (1.1”) x 21cm (8.2”) x 3.2cm (1.2”)
Chashaku: L.18.6cm (7.3”)

Condition
It’s in excellent condition and is a brand new item.

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.