Bamboo freshwater jar (mizusashi)

煎茶水指

The ritual preparation of roasted green tea (sencha) involves steeping tea leaves in tiny teapots, to be served in miniature cups. This differs from the Way of Tea known as chado or chanoyu, in which powdered green tea is whipped in larger tea bowls (as in the tearoom in this gallery). The lacquered interior, fitted lid, and small size of this bamboo container suggest that it is a water jar used to replenish the kettle during sencha gatherings.