Japanese Vintage Wooden Tea Caddy Lidded Box Yamagata Craftsman Shogi Keyaki

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Japanese Wooden Tea Caddy — Master Craftsman Work from Yamagata, Japan

A remarkable example of Japanese woodworking precision, this cylindrical lidded tea caddy (chaire) comes from Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture — a region renowned for producing Japan's finest shogi (chess) pieces, where the highest standards of wood craftsmanship have been passed down for generations.

Details:

• Weight: 167g
• Dimensions: H 11cm × W 7.7cm (H 4.3" × W 3.0")
• Origin: Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
• Craftsman type: Master wood artisan (saiku-shi) — beyond ordinary woodturning

The Extraordinary Lid Mechanism The most stunning feature of this piece is its outer sleeve lid: when placed on top of the body, it descends entirely under its own weight, closing with a slow, perfectly controlled glide. This is only possible through extraordinary precision in fitting — the tolerances are so fine that air pressure alone controls the descent. This level of craftsmanship is extraordinarily rare and must be seen to be believed.

Features:

• Two-part lid system: a flat inner lid and a long outer sleeve cover
• The body features beautifully turned horizontal ridged bands (wappa-bori style), creating a tactile wave pattern that interacts magnificently with the flowing wood grain
• Exceptional figured grain (moku) — the undulating flame pattern visible through the ridges is deeply expressive
• The bottom reveals tight concentric lathe rings, a hallmark of master-level turning
• Warm golden-amber tone with rich natural patina

Condition:

• Excellent overall condition consistent with age and use
• All components present and fully functional
• The precision fit of the lid remains intact

A truly museum-quality piece of Japanese functional craft. The combination of technical mastery, expressive grain, and meditative form makes this an exceptional find for collectors of Japanese antiques, chadogu (tea ceremony utensils), or fine Asian woodwork.