Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE? Product Story General Product Information This tea caddy is made of Sterling Silver. The checkered pattern has a meaning of prosperity because the pattern continues without interruption. Because of its meaning of "prosperity," the checkered pattern is favored by many people as a pattern of good omen, such as prosperity of descendants and expansion of business. It can be used not only as a tea caddy but also as a cup. This checkered pattern is completed after tens of thousands of times of imprinting. The method of making squares out of squares is to keep striking one square about 50 times, and then remove the corners of the circle. Why don't you spend your daily life with the masterpiece of a craftsman who has been involved in the production of silver products for more than 40 years? As it ages, it will take on an expression that only you can see! Product History When did these crafts start to craft?：300 years ago / 1700AD / Edo period in Japan Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Japan was once one of the world's two largest silver mines, and Japan was one of the world's largest silver producers. Around the 17th century, craftsmen called silversmiths were highly valued by feudal lords, and they were also active in making not only silverware but also portable shrines for festivals and hairpins for women, and the general public patronized a wide variety of items. Craftsman Story Craftsman Profile Kenichiro Izumi / Izumiken A craftsman who has been making Tokyo silverware in Tokyo since 1979. After graduating from an art school, he travelled around Japan for a year. He sometimes delivered newspapers to earn money. During the time, he was thinking about his future and ended up with making silverware. The company is known for making not only silverware, but also rings, buckles and other products that are in tune with the modern age. Careful and detailed handwork fascinates those who seethe making process. Craftsman Passion "Throughout a conversation with silver, guide it to the shape it wants to be." Silver can take on any form, and we place the utmost importance on how natural it can be. We are committed to creating products that are pleasant to use for both the silver and the customer. Achievement Received the World Gold Council Award at the All Japan Gold and Silver Creation Exhibition. Received the President's Award of the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries. Designated as a traditional craftsman. They have received many other awards for their work. Your Contribution to Craftsman Customer Voice Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section! Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price? As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract! We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo Measurement Tea caddy： Width：6cm Depth：6g Height：11.2cm Weight：308g Silver Spoon： Width：3.7cm Depth：11.3g Weight：36g Material & Caution Materials Sterling Silver Caution Individual Difference Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade. Delivery Date Please note that it will take about two months for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.