JAPANESE CHAZUTSU TEA CADDIES BY KAIKADO
2013-09-23Kaikado is the oldest family owned maker of handmade tin tea caddies in the world, the family began producing their innovative Chazutsu caddy in 1875, using sheets of tin imported from Cornwall. Today four skilled craftsman led by Mr Yagi, Design Director, still make the traditional tin, brass, copper and silver caddies at the family run workshop in Kyoto.
Each caddy is made of two layers of metal, the double wall construction keeps the caddies completely airtight and the contents dry. With daily use the outer metal layer will change in tone and develop a unique patina; colour changes in copper being noticeable within three months and the tin caddy slowly changing colour over three to five years.
There are more than 130 highly skilled processes involved in the production of each caddy, many of which can only be carried out by Mr Yagi and his father. The special airtight feature has remained unchanged for over a century, production is time consuming and the finishing meticulous in its attention to detail.
Margaret Howell has selected three cylindrical caddies, available in tin and copper, as well as a special 200g tin caddy with a boxwood lid handle.
Mr Yagi will be demonstrating some of the processes involved in the making of a traditional Japanese Chazutsu tea caddy at the Margaret Howell Wigmore Street shop on Sunday 29th September.
