Tray Bag

"A Japanese boxwood fine, rare, naturalistically and intricately carved tray (kashiki), in the form of a banana leaf, carved from one section of wood, the edges and interior carved with openwork to show where the leaf was eaten by insects, with original wood tomobako (wood storage box). This tray was used in the sencha tea ceremony for seasonal display, as well as being used for the placement and serving of sweets (kashiki means sweet vessel, either ceramic, lacquer or wood, all of which are scarce), 21.5” long by 5.25” wide, 19th century Meiji period.

The sencha tea ceremony (sencha is medium grade green tea) first became popular during the Edo period (1615-1868), as a simpler style of drinking green tea.

Guests may be served a light meal with sake, or a small offering of sweets eaten with a wooden pick called a kuromoji. Once selected, sweets are placed upon the kaishi (napkin), which is placed upon the kashiki. " - Bernie McManus, Appraiser, Woodbury House, 7/9/2015