This is a katakuchi (sake pouring vessel) purchased from a lacquerware specialty store in Kyoto and stored at home. The spout is carved out of a single piece of wood, rather than being glued together, so it's less likely to chip and is very durable, according to the shop staff. The motif is a horseshoe crab (kabuto-gani), and when turned upside down, it looks like Darth Vader?? It's shaped like a horseshoe crab. The inside is red, and the outside is black, with a robust lacquer finish. Material: Zelkova wood (lacquer finish) Size: Height: 6cm - 9cm Diameter (outside): 14.5cm Diameter (inside): 12cm There is a thin spot in the lacquer on the rim of the underside, please check photos 6 and 7. This is a general used item, so please refrain from purchasing if you are sensitive to such things. No returns or exchanges, please. #SakeWare #LacquerArt #TraditionalCrafts #Lacquer #JapaneseHandcraft #TatsuakiKuroda #Lacquerware #YamanakaLacquerware #CelebrationMeal #Shichigosan #FirstMeal #Sake #SakeTasting #Katakuchi #Guinomi #SakeCup #Chirori #BoysFestival #HorseshoeCrab #Crab #Toso #NEGORO