Rare, home-preserved masterpiece: Cloud Crane Maki-e Pine Tea Container, made from ancient wood of the Izumo Taisha Shrine's ridgepole, crafted by Kihoku, with signature and inscribed box. "Izumo Taisha Shrine Ridgepole Ancient Wood Pine Tea Container" refers to a "chaire" (tea container for powdered green tea) made by repurposing old pine wood (ridgepole) used in the roof of the Izumo Taisha Shrine's main hall. This is a special tea utensil made from the sacred wood of the Izumo Taisha Shrine, known as the god of matchmaking. The use of the shrine's official timber in tea utensils is highly valued by tea masters and collectors as an item that allows one to feel the divine connection of the gods. Details: Ridgepole (munagi): The horizontal timber at the highest part of a building, a crucial part of the structure. Ancient wood: Reused parts of an old building, imbued with history and stories. Pine: Commonly found in the shrine's forest and treated as sacred wood. Chaire: A lidded container for holding matcha (powdered green tea) in the tea ceremony. How to obtain: Such special tea utensils are occasionally sold through catalogs or auctions at specialty stores dealing in art and antiques, such as Lien Jikoh. Especially items like "Signature Cloud Izumo Taisha Main Hall Ridgepole Ancient Wood with Bamboo Tea Scoop" which are combined with other materials (bamboo) or made by specific artists (e.g., Mata-raku Koizumi) also exist. If you are interested, you may find similar items by contacting art dealers or tea utensil specialty stores. Please take this opportunity. Thank you very much.