Vintage Japanese Chu-Natsume Wooden Tea Caddy Seashell Motif Mirugai Maki-e w/Box Table Across his chest is strapped

Across his chest is strapped a circular drum

having been used lovingly for over a century

This is a beautiful Japanese Meiji era (c

and looking like it was used  sparingly

Vintage Japanese Chu-Natsume Wooden Tea Caddy Seashell Motif Mirugai Maki-e w/Box Table Across his chest is strappedGold maki e chu natsume with stylized sea shells on black lacquer Japan, mid20th centuryDimensions: approx. 3. 0W 3. 1H (7. 6 7. 9 cm) This Japanese tea ceremony chu natsume is finished in deep black lacquer and decorated in gold maki e with an allover seashell motif. Fan shaped and rounded shell forms are rendered in fine line work and soft gold tones, interspersed with gently curving stems that unify the design across the lid and body. Shell imagery