Takahiro Yagi, the sixth generation Kaikado master craftsman at Postcard Teas

Kaikado of Kyoto are the oldest makers of handmade tin tea caddies in the world. The first generation began producing their innovative Chazutsu caddies in 1875 using sheets of tin specially imported from Cornwall. 

Their iconic cylinder caddies quickly became the style of caddy everyone copied but their quality was never equalled. Their ancestor's caddies are still used by families across Japan including the Japanese Imperial household.

Each caddy has two layers: an inner layer of tin, and an outer layer of tin, brass, copper or silver. The double wall of metal is perfect for storage, keeping the tins completely airtight and the contents dry. With daily use the outer metal layer soon develops a unique patina.

Kaikado and Postcard Teas have collaborated for several years and recently launched Postcard Teas caddies in the UK and Japan. For the past two years, the sixth generation of Kaikado, Takahiro Yagi, has visited our central London store to meet customers, engrave their tea scoops, and demonstrate how Kaikado's tea caddies are meticulously hand made.