KARMI Soji chazutau (handcrafted cap. 80g)

handcrafted container, diameter: 3.54inch (9.0cm), height: 4.33inch (11cm), capacity: 80g tea leaves
Made with MIZUME SAKURA (Betula Grossa)

This hand-turned wooden tea caddy is crafted by Gato Mikio Shoten, a long-established maker of Yamanaka lacquerware.

The name ‘KARMI’ is derived from Karumi, a poetic ideal introduced by Matsuo Basho, which expresses a natural and unpretentious state of mind and espouses true beauty found in the simplicity of everyday life, free from artifice.

The finely carved parallel lines on the surface, known as ‘SENSUJI’ thousand lines, are created using a traditional Yamanaka decorative turning technique called KASHOKUBIKI. Skilled artisans in Yamanaka, Ishikawa, carve each line carefully by hand on a lathe with a plane, resulting in perfectly even spacing. These delicate grooves are not only visually striking but also serve as a non-slip texture.

Its graceful silhouette, with a narrow mouth that widens toward the base, is inspired by the Fuji-Gama, a kettle used in Japanese tea ceremony. The thick, substantial lid highlights the warmth and texture of the natural wood.

The KARMI series of Chazutsu is designed to protect tea leaves from changes in temperature and humidity, preserving their aroma and freshness. The smooth, precise fit of the lid is achieved through meticulous craftsmanship — adjusting the wood’s moisture content over several months, combined with the artisan’s refined skill and intuition developed through years of experience.

The material used is MIZUME SAKURA, a dense and durable hardwood resembling cherry. Though difficult to work with, it resists cracking and warping and finishes to a beautifully smooth surface.

Elegant yet practical, the KARMI tea caddy comes in a luxurious presentation box, making it an ideal gift for weddings, housewarmings, or other special occasions.

Specially packaged in a carton box.
Made in Japan.